STATUTORY RULES.
1916. No. 23.
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1913.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this first day of March, One thousand nine hundred and sixteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. J. RUSSELL,
for the Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as Amended by Statutory Rules 1914, No. 47.)
Regulation 104 is repealed, and the following Regulation is inserted in its stead:
Inquiry Respecting Delivery of Postal Articles.
104. If the sender or the addressee of a registered postal article, or of a parcel, desire inquiry made respecting its disposal, he shall enter, in a form provided for the purpose, the names and addresses of the sender and of the addressee of the registered article or parcel; and he must, also, where the inquiry relates to a registered postal article, affix to the form a postage stamp in payment of the fee of 2½d., or, where the inquiry relates to a parcel, affix to the form a postage stamp in payment of the fee of 2d., which postage stamp the postmaster, or other officer, must cancel in the ordinary way. Where the inquiry relates to a parcel, the person making the inquiry must produce the receipt which was handed to the sender at the time of posting the parcel. Should any delay in delivery be attributable to the Post Office, the fee shall be refunded. If a fee has been paid for acknowledgment of delivery, no charge for the inquiry shall be made.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.17979.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 23, amended the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, introducing changes to the procedures for inquiries regarding the delivery of registered postal articles and parcels. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislation aimed to streamline the process for customers to seek information about their mail, ensuring that the necessary forms and fees were clearly outlined. This amendment was designed to address any potential gaps in communication between the postal service and its clients regarding the status of their mail, thereby enhancing customer service and satisfaction. The policy objective was to provide a clear and efficient mechanism for inquiries, which was vital in maintaining trust and reliability in postal services during the early 20th century.
Scope and Application
The amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 pertains to the inquiry process regarding the delivery of registered postal articles and parcels within the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation applies to both senders and addressees of registered postal articles and parcels who wish to inquire about the disposition of their mail. The regulation mandates that the inquirer must provide specific details, including their names and addresses, and pay a specified fee for the inquiry, which varies depending on whether the inquiry is for a registered postal article or a parcel. The regulation further requires that where the inquiry is for a parcel, the inquirer must present the receipt provided at the time of posting. In cases where the Post Office is found to be responsible for any delay in delivery, the paid fee for the inquiry will be refunded. Notably, if an acknowledgment of delivery fee has already been paid, no additional charge for the inquiry will be imposed. This regulation thus establishes a clear process and fee structure for inquiries related to registered postal articles and parcels, ensuring that both the postal service and the public are aware of the requirements and implications of such inquiries within the Australian postal system.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this amended regulation, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, include Regulation 104, which replaces the previous Regulation 104. This regulation concerns the process for making an inquiry regarding the disposal of registered postal articles and parcels. Specifically, it mandates that either the sender or the addressee of a registered postal article or parcel must complete a form, providing their names and addresses (Section 104). Additionally, if the inquiry pertains to a registered postal article, the form must include a postage stamp of 2½d., and if it pertains to a parcel, a postage stamp of 2d. The postmaster or another officer must then cancel the stamp as usual (Section 104). For parcel inquiries, the person making the inquiry must also produce the receipt that was given to the sender when the parcel was posted (Section 104). If any delay in delivery is found to be the responsibility of the Post Office, the fee paid for the inquiry is to be refunded (Section 104). Importantly, if the sender has already paid for an acknowledgment of delivery, no additional charge for the inquiry will be made (Section 104).
The obligations and requirements imposed by this regulation are primarily on the senders and addressees of registered postal articles and parcels. They must complete the inquiry form accurately, including their names and addresses, and attach the appropriate postage stamp. For parcel inquiries, the production of the original receipt from the time of posting is mandatory. Furthermore, the Post Office must process these inquiries and, if delays are found to be their fault, they are required to refund the inquiry fee. The senders and addressees must also be aware that if they have already paid for acknowledgment of delivery, they will not be charged for an inquiry.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation may result in certain consequences. Although the regulation does not explicitly state offences or penalties, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance with the stipulated procedures could lead to complications in the handling of inquiries or potential delays in service. For example, if the required postage stamp is not affixed, the inquiry may not be processed. Furthermore, if a sender or addressee does not provide the necessary receipt for a parcel inquiry, their request may be rejected. The regulation does not outline specific penalties but implies that adherence to its terms is necessary for the proper functioning of the postal inquiry process.