STATUTORY RULES
1915. No. 142.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1913.
(Issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1915, No. 79.)
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 Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this eleventh day of August, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. SPENCE,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations, 1913. (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348.)
1. Regulation 191 is repealed, and the following Regulation is inserted in its stead:—
191. A notice must be exhibited in some conspicuous place in front of the premises licensed, with the words “Licensed to sell postage stamps” printed in letters at least 1 inch in height, and of proportionate breadth. Stamps must be procurable at any time that the licensed vendor’s place of business is open to the public, Sunday excepted.
2. Regulation 192 is repealed, and the following Regulation is inserted in its stead:—
192. Licensed vendors must pay cash for stamps purchased, and may be allowed a commission not exceeding 2½ per cent., in stamps, on purchases of not less than £1 in value at any one time, but they must not use postage stamps for the payment of accounts, nor for remittances. The amount of commission allowed to any licensed vendor on the stamps purchased under any licence held by him shall not exceed in the case of each licence the sum of Thirty shillings (30s.) in any week.
Provided that in cases where several licences are held by one person, the premises licensed shall be grouped, according to the localities in which they are situated, in such a way as to ensure that stamps shall be supplied to the licensce from the smallest number of offices compatible with due regard to facility and promptness of supply. The commission in such cases shall be limited to Thirty shillings (30s.) per week at any one post-office, and supplies of postage stamps shall only be obtainable from each post-office once a day.
3. The following Regulation is inserted after Regulation 192:—
192a. Applications for the purchase of supplies of postage stamps must be made on the proper form. No licensed vendor shall be allowed to obtain, on commission, supplies of postage stamps more frequently than once a day.
4. The following Regulation is inserted after Regulation 195:—
195a. A licensed vendor must keep a book containing particulars of stamp sales, and must produce such book to an authorized officer of the Postmaster-General’s Department when required.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.10266.—Price 3d.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1915, No. 142, issued under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, addresses the need to refine the regulations governing the sale of postage stamps by licensed vendors. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, the amendments aim to ensure compliance and transparency in the distribution and sale of postage stamps. This legislative instrument introduces new regulations to replace existing ones, focusing on the display of licensing notices, the payment for stamps, the limitation on commissions, and the requirement for vendors to maintain sales records. The policy objective is to maintain orderly operations and prevent misuse of postage stamps by licensed vendors, thereby ensuring efficient postal services across Australia.
Scope and Application
The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 apply to entities and individuals who have been granted a license to sell postage stamps, ensuring compliance with specified operational standards. These regulations are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, as they are promulgated under federal legislation. They mandate that licensed vendors must display a notice indicating their authorisation to sell stamps, ensure the availability of stamps during business hours except on Sundays, and adhere to a cap on commission earnings from stamp sales. Furthermore, vendors are required to purchase stamps with cash, maintain records of stamp sales, and adhere to frequency limitations on applying for additional stamp supplies. The regulations also stipulate that vendors cannot use postage stamps for account payments or remittances, and they must comply with additional rules if they hold multiple licenses. The scope of these regulations is extended through subordinate instruments, ensuring comprehensive oversight of stamp sales activities across the nation.
Key Provisions
The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, introduced in Statutory Rules 1915, No. 142, revise several key provisions related to the sale of postage stamps by licensed vendors. Regulation 191 (paragraph 1) now mandates that a notice stating "Licensed to sell postage stamps" must be displayed conspicuously at the premises. The notice must use letters at least 1 inch in height, ensuring it is easily readable. Stamps must be available whenever the licensed vendor’s place of business is open to the public, excluding Sundays. Regulation 192 (paragraph 2) stipulates that licensed vendors must pay for stamps in cash. They can receive a commission of up to 2½% on purchases of at least £1, but this commission must also be paid in stamps. Importantly, vendors cannot use postage stamps to pay accounts or for remittances. The commission is capped at 30 shillings per week per licence, and if multiple licences are held by one person, the premises must be grouped by locality to ensure efficient stamp supply. Vendors are only allowed to purchase stamps once a day, and the total weekly commission across all licences cannot exceed 30 shillings per post office.
The amended regulations also impose specific obligations on licensed vendors. According to Regulation 192a (paragraph 3), applications for purchasing postage stamps must be made on the proper form, ensuring a standardised process. Furthermore, Regulation 195a (paragraph 4) requires that licensed vendors maintain a detailed book of stamp sales. This book must be presented to an authorized officer from the Postmaster-General’s Department upon request, facilitating oversight and compliance monitoring.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in significant consequences. The specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach are not detailed in the provided text, but generally, non-compliance with postal regulations can lead to fines, revocation of the vendor's licence, and potential legal action under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913. The precise penalties would be determined by the relevant authorities and could vary depending on the nature and severity of the breach.