STATUTORY RULES
1916. No. 68.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS 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 certify that, on account of urgency, the undermentioned amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this nineteenth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and sixteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
WILLIAM WEBSTER,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348).
1. Sub-regulation (2) of Regulation 220 is repealed, and the following sub-regulation is inserted in its stead:—
(2) The contents of parcels must be securely packed and enclosed in such a manner as to preserve them from injury and from injuring other parcels. Parcels which appear to be insufficiently packed may be refused. Parcels containing—
(a) fragile articles—millinery, toys, musical instruments, &c.
(b) perishables articles—eggs, butter, flowers, fish, &c.
(c) liquids or semi-liquids—medicines, oils, paints, jellies, &c.,
must be so securely packed as to prevent the contents from escaping, and the covers or vessels in which they are enclosed must be sufficiently strong to prevent breakage in transmission. The word “Fragile” or “Perishable,” as the case may be, and the nature of the covering or vessel and contents must be indorsed on the outer wrapper. The edges and points of all sharp instruments must be protected, and articles which are likely to injure other articles must be packed in separate parcels. When considered necessary by the Postmaster-General, hermetically sealed tins, and wooden packing boxes, with a sufficient quantity of absorbent matter, must be used.
C.4986.—Price 3d.
2. Regulation 243 is repealed, and the following Regulation is inserted in its stead:—
Rates of Postage, Etc.
243. The following shall be the rates of postage charged on Inland and Inter-State parcels, viz.:—
Destination | Rates of Postage on a Parcel not exceeding— |
1lb | 2lb | 3lb | 4lb | 5lb | 6lb | 7lb | 8lb | 9lb | 10lb | 11lb |
| s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. |
Inland.... | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
Inter-State.. | 0 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
The foregoing rates shall be increased by fifty per cent. in the case of parcels marked “fragile” or “perishable,” or which the senders require to be protected in the mails in transit.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, enacted in 1916, were introduced to address the urgent need to amend existing postal regulations. This legislative instrument, certified by the Governor-General in the context of the Federal Executive Council, aimed to ensure the safe and secure transportation of parcels by imposing stricter packing requirements and adjusting postage rates. The policy objective was to prevent damage to goods in transit and to provide a clear framework for the pricing of parcel services, including an increase in rates for parcels marked as fragile or perishable to reflect the added protection required.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 apply to all individuals, businesses, and entities involved in the transmission of parcels through the postal service within Australia. This includes the Postmaster-General and all senders, receivers, and handlers of parcels. The regulations cover the conduct related to the packing and labelling of parcels to ensure the safe transit of goods, and set out specific requirements for the handling of fragile, perishable, and liquid items. The geographic reach of these regulations is nationwide, covering both inland and inter-state parcels. The regulations include specific provisions for the rates of postage which apply to parcels of varying weights and categories, with a particular increase for parcels marked as fragile or perishable, or those requiring special protection during transit. These regulations are designed to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods through the postal system, and to provide clear guidelines for both the senders and the postal service in fulfilling these duties.
Key Provisions
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 provide several key provisions concerning the handling of parcels (Regulation 220(2)) and the rates of postage (Regulation 243). Regulation 220(2) mandates that parcels must be securely packed to prevent damage during transit. This includes specific requirements for parcels containing fragile items, perishables, or liquids, which must be packed in a way that prevents leakage or breakage. Additionally, sharp instruments must have their edges and points protected, and items likely to cause damage to others must be packed separately. Regulation 243 sets forth the rates of postage for inland and interstate parcels, based on weight, with an additional fifty percent increase for parcels marked as fragile or perishable, or those that require special protection during transit.
The obligations imposed by these regulations require senders to ensure that parcels are adequately packed and labelled according to the specifications outlined. Senders must also declare the nature of the contents if they are fragile, perishable, or contain liquids, and they must use appropriate packaging to safeguard the items. Furthermore, the Postmaster-General has the discretion to mandate the use of hermetically sealed tins or wooden packing boxes with absorbent materials when necessary. In terms of postage, the regulations necessitate that senders pay the correct postage rate based on the weight and destination of the parcel, with additional charges for parcels requiring extra protection.
Breaches of these regulations could lead to various consequences. If parcels are insufficiently packed or improperly labelled, they may be refused by postal services, which could result in delays or non-delivery of the parcel. For example, if fragile or perishable items are not packed securely, they may be damaged in transit, potentially leading to liability for the sender. Additionally, if the correct postage is not paid, parcels may be returned to the sender or incur additional fees. While the specific penalties for these breaches are not detailed in the regulations, they could include financial penalties for non-compliance or the costs associated with damaged or lost items.