Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, published as Statutory Rules 1917, No. 39, aims to modify existing provisions concerning the supply and delivery of the Mail Notice. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument addresses the administrative adjustments needed to streamline the distribution and subscription process for the Mail Notice. The policy objective appears to be ensuring that the service remains accessible and financially viable for both the postal service and its users, by setting clear payment terms and subscription fees for various modes of delivery.

Scope and Application

The Post and Telegraph Regulations, 1917, amends the existing regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 to include provisions for the distribution and subscription to the Mail Notice, a publication issued twice weekly. This amendment applies to private box-holders and individuals who collect the Mail Notice at the General Post Office. The regulation specifies that the fee for receiving the Mail Notice either by collection or delivery must be paid in advance, with a yearly subscription costing five shillings for collection or ten shillings for delivery. The regulation also outlines the payment structure for new subscribers, requiring an upfront payment for the initial year, with subsequent renewals being calculated based on the period from the start of the month following the first year to the end of December, and then due annually on the first of January. This legislative instrument is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is made under the authority granted by the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, thereby extending its reach to all entities and individuals within the jurisdiction governed by this act.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the amended regulation detail the availability and subscription process for the Mail Notice. Regulation 198(1) provides that one copy of the Mail Notice, published twice weekly, can be supplied to private box-holders or persons who request it at the General Post Office, provided they pay a fee of five shillings per annum. Alternatively, subscribers can opt for delivery by letter-carriers on their first round for a fee of ten shillings per annum. Regulation 198(2) specifies that new subscribers must pay the fee in advance for one year from the first day of the month they subscribe. After the first year, the renewal fee is calculated from the first day of the month after the first year ends until the last day of December of that year, with subsequent renewal fees due on the first day of January each year. This regulation imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Subscribers are required to pay the specified fees in advance for the service they choose. For those who subscribe for the first time, they must pay for a full year from the first day of the subscription month. After the initial year, subscribers must renew their payment annually, with the renewal fee calculated from the month following the first year’s end until the last day of December, and subsequent renewals due at the beginning of each new year. The regulation mandates that the payment be made in advance, ensuring that the Post Office can consistently provide the Mail Notice as per the agreement. In terms of consequences for breach, the regulation does not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-payment or failure to renew the subscription. However, non-compliance with the payment terms would likely result in the suspension or termination of the Mail Notice service until the fees are settled. The regulation relies on the inherent consequences of non-payment, such as the loss of the service, to enforce compliance rather than imposing specific fines or legal penalties. This approach ensures that subscribers maintain their subscription to continue receiving the Mail Notice without the need for additional legal sanctions.