Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1918, No. 189, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, introduced amendments to the Post and Telegraph Regulations of 1913, specifically addressing the transmission of circulars. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument sought to address the gap in the regulatory framework for the efficient handling of circulars that were mechanically reproduced but not in letter form. The policy objective was to facilitate the cost-effective dissemination of such materials, provided they met certain criteria such as being identical and posted in large quantities. This amendment streamlined the process for sending circulars at the printed papers rate, ensuring they were identifiable and posted in a controlled manner, thereby improving the administration and regulation of postal services during that period.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 applies to the transmission of circulars that are otherwise admissible but are printed or lithographed in characters resembling those of a typewriter or are produced through any mechanical process from written or typewritten originals. This regulation allows such circulars to be transmitted at the printed papers rate of postage, provided they meet specific conditions, including being handed in at a post office counter and having at least twenty precisely identical copies posted simultaneously. Each cover must be marked by the sender with "20 posted," except in cases where quantities are posted prepaid in cash under regulation 112. Notably, these circulars must not be in letter form and must exclude notices of meetings. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting the jurisdictional reach of the federal post and telegraph services established under the Act. The amendment repeals the previous regulation 32 and replaces it with these new stipulations, thus extending the application of the regulation to ensure clarity and compliance in the transmission of certain printed materials.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, specifically Regulation 32, outlines the conditions under which circulars may be sent at the printed papers rate of postage. According to the regulation, circulars that are otherwise acceptable but are printed or lithographed in characters resembling those of a typewriter, or produced by any mechanical process from written or typewritten originals, can be sent at this rate (Reg. 32). However, they must be handed in at a post office counter, and at least twenty copies that are precisely identical must be posted simultaneously (Reg. 32). Each cover must be marked by the sender with "20 posted", unless the quantities are posted prepaid in cash under Regulation 112 (Reg. 32). It is also specified that these circulars, excluding notices of meetings, must not be in letter form (Reg. 32). The obligations imposed by these regulations are primarily on the senders of circulars. They must ensure that their circulars meet the criteria of being printed or lithographed in typewriter-like characters or produced by mechanical means from written or typewritten originals. Furthermore, the senders must present their circulars at a post office counter and post at least twenty identical copies at the same time, marking each cover appropriately unless prepaid under Regulation 112. The requirement that these circulars should not be in letter form further delineates the scope of permissible materials. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in the circulars not being eligible for the printed papers rate of postage, potentially leading to higher postal charges. Additionally, if the circulars do not meet the specified criteria or fail to adhere to the procedural requirements, they might be subject to penalties or other consequences as determined by the postal authority. While specific penalties are not detailed in the regulation, non-compliance could result in financial penalties or other administrative actions as prescribed under the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916.