Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as amended in 1916, aim to streamline the process of impressing postage stamps on envelopes and similar items intended for the public. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations address the need for more efficient and standardised practices in handling pre-stamped mail materials. The regulations permit the use of approved coloured envelopes and wrappers for stamping, provided they meet specific thickness and quantity requirements, and they allow for the substitution of envelopes provided by the Postmaster-General's Department. Additionally, they specify the charges for stamping, including the value of the stamps and a fee for the stamping service, while also stipulating that envelopes and wrappers can be transmitted without additional postage charges once accepted at an official post office. This legislative instrument thus seeks to enhance operational efficiency and clarity in the handling of pre-stamped mail materials within the postal system.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 apply to individuals and entities wishing to have postage stamps impressed or embossed on envelopes, envelopes combined with sheets of note-paper, wrappers, or circulars intended for public use. These Regulations outline the conditions and charges associated with the stamping process, including the requirement that a minimum of 500 items of any one size be supplied at one time, and that the paper must be in sheets rather than cut in slips. The Regulations also allow for the acceptance of coloured envelopes or wrappers that have been approved by the Deputy Postmaster-General, while prohibiting the use of envelopes or wrappers that are too thin to bear the impression of the die. The geographic reach of these Regulations is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and they extend to any official post office where the items can be submitted for stamping. While the Regulations set out specific conditions for the stamping process, there are no explicit exclusions or thresholds mentioned within the text, though the need for a minimum quantity of items and the prohibition on using certain types of paper may implicitly restrict application in some cases.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 focus on the procedures for impressing postage stamps on specific materials for public use. Regulation 182 details the conditions under which postage stamps can be impressed or embossed on envelopes, envelopes combined with sheets of note-paper, wrappers, or circulars with reply halves, such as those used for orders of publications or goods. This regulation specifies that at least 500 items of any one size must be supplied at a time, and the paper used must be in sheets, not cut in slips (Regulation 182). It also allows for the acceptance of coloured envelopes or wrappers that are approved by the Deputy Postmaster-General, while rejecting those too thin to bear the stamp impression. Moreover, it permits the substitution of envelopes or wrappers provided by the Postmaster-General's Department, bearing the proper stamp, for any that are spoiled during the stamping process. Regulation 183 further clarifies that these materials can be accepted at any official post office and transmitted to and from the General Post Office without incurring additional postage charges (Regulation 183). These Regulations impose several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, any person or entity wishing to have postage stamps impressed on envelopes, envelopes combined with sheets of note-paper, wrappers, or circulars must supply at least 500 items of any one size at a time. The paper must be in sheet form rather than cut in slips, and coloured envelopes or wrappers must be approved by the Deputy Postmaster-General. Additionally, the party must pay the charges in advance, which include the value of the stamps and an additional charge of 2 shillings per thousand items for the stamping work. Furthermore, if any envelopes or wrappers are spoiled during the stamping process, they can be substituted with equivalent items provided by the Postmaster-General's Department, provided they bear the proper stamp. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences mentioned in these Regulations for breaches of the outlined requirements. However, non-compliance with the conditions for impressing postage stamps, such as failing to supply the required quantity of items or using unacceptable paper, could result in the rejection of the submitted materials. The Regulations focus primarily on procedural compliance and charges, with no stated penalties for non-compliance beyond the rejection of the materials. Nonetheless, the enforcement of these conditions is likely to be overseen by the Postmaster-General's Department, and persistent non-compliance could lead to further scrutiny or penalties under other provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 or related legislation.