STATUTORY RULES.
1915. No. 237.
PROVISIONAL REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1913.
I, SIR ARTHUR STANLEY, Governor of the State of Victoria and its Dependencies, in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting as the Deputy of the Governor-General in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a provisional Regulation.
Dated this eighth day of December, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
A. L. STANLEY,
Deputy of the Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
WILLIAM WEBSTER,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations, 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as Amended by Statutory Rules 1915, No. 13.)
Sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 151 is repealed, and the following sub-regulation is inserted in its stead:—
151. (1) Postal articles posted without addresses or bearing illegible addresses, and those which the addressees refuse to receive owing to postage being payable or other cause, must be transmitted without delay to the Dead Letter Office for disposal, except in the cases provided for in Regulation 150.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.16355.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 was enacted in 1915 to address the urgency in handling postal articles that were either unaddressed, illegibly addressed, or refused by the addressees due to unpaid postage or other reasons. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Governor of the State of Victoria, acting as the Deputy of the Governor-General, with advice from the Federal Executive Council, highlighting the need for immediate action. The policy objective was to ensure the efficient management and disposal of such postal articles by directing them to the Dead Letter Office, except in cases specified under Regulation 150. This provisional regulation aimed to streamline postal operations and prevent the accumulation of undeliverable mail.
The regulation was introduced as a statutory rule under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, which was designed to provide a legal framework for postal services. The amendment to Regulation 151 aimed to address a specific gap in the existing regulations by clearly defining the procedure for handling postal articles that could not be delivered due to issues with the address or refusal by the recipient. By specifying the immediate transmission of such articles to the Dead Letter Office, the regulation sought to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of postal services during a time of potential operational challenges.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 applies to postal articles that are posted without addresses or with illegible addresses, as well as those that are refused by the addressee due to unpaid postage or other reasons. These articles must be promptly sent to the Dead Letter Office for appropriate disposition unless exempted by Regulation 150. The regulation has a national reach as it is enacted under Commonwealth authority. It does not specify exclusions or exemptions beyond those outlined in Regulation 150. The regulation's application may be extended or restricted by subordinate instruments, which can provide additional details or modifications to the primary provisions. The regulation comes into immediate effect due to its urgent nature, as certified by the Deputy of the Governor-General.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the provisional regulation, as amended under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, revolve around the management of postal articles that are undeliverable or refused by the addressee. Regulation 151, in particular, outlines the procedures for handling postal articles that are either posted without addresses, bear illegible addresses, or are refused by the addressees due to unpaid postage or other reasons (sub-regulation 151(1)). These items must be promptly forwarded to the Dead Letter Office for disposition, unless exempted under the provisions of Regulation 150.
The Act imposes specific obligations on postal service providers and the Dead Letter Office. Postal service providers must ensure that postal articles meeting the criteria specified in Regulation 151(1) are expeditiously transmitted to the Dead Letter Office. This requirement underscores the importance of maintaining efficient postal services and ensuring that undeliverable items are processed in a timely manner. The Dead Letter Office, in turn, is responsible for the proper handling and eventual disposal of these articles, which includes efforts to reunite senders with their intended recipients where feasible.
Failure to comply with the provisions of Regulation 151(1) could result in various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the regulation, breaches of postal regulations generally may lead to administrative actions, financial penalties, or other disciplinary measures under the overarching Post and Telegraph Act. Additionally, persistent or severe non-compliance could potentially result in more severe legal repercussions, including criminal charges or civil suits, depending on the nature and impact of the breach.
The regulation’s immediate implementation highlights the urgency of ensuring that postal articles are correctly managed. By swiftly enacting these provisional amendments, the authorities aim to maintain the integrity and efficiency of postal services during a period of potential disruption or change. The regulation is designed to provide clear guidelines for both postal service providers and the Dead Letter Office, ensuring that all parties understand their responsibilities and the consequences of failing to adhere to the stipulated procedures.