STATUTORY RULES.
1925. No. 99.
—————
REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1923.
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 1901-1923, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this tenth day of June, 1925.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. GIBSON,
Postmaster-General.
________
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as amended to this date.)
1. Regulation 220 is amended—
(1) by omitting sub-regulations (1) and (2) and inserting the following sub-regulations in their stead:—
(1) The name and address of the person for whom a parcel is intended must be clearly indicated on the outside of the parcel. When a tie-on address label is used, the name and address of the addressee must be indicated on the cover of the parcel as well as on the tie-on label. The name and address of the sender must be indicated on the cover of a parcel addressed to a place beyond the Commonwealth, and also on the cover of a parcel addressed to a place within the Commonwealth if the parcel contains a liquid or semi-liquid, or any other substance which in the event of breakage of the containing vessel or covering might injure other postal articles. In other cases the indication of the name and address of the sender on the cover of the parcel is optional, but the sender is advised to so endorse the parcel in order to facilitate its return to him in the event of non-delivery. The endorsement of the name and address of the sender must be in the following form:—
From.....................................................Address……………………………………..............and must be so placed as to prevent it being confused with the name and address of the addressee of the parcel.
C.5734.—Price 3d.
(2) A parcel must be packed with due regard to the nature of the contents, the length of the journey, conditions of transit, and climatic conditions, and in such a manner as to prevent the contents, in the event of breakage or leakage, causing damage to other mail matter. The wrapper or container must be of sufficient strength to protect the contents of the parcel from damage arising from the handling and pressure which the parcel will receive in the course of transmission through the post.
(2) by omitting sub-regulation (4).
(3) by altering the number of sub-regulation (5) to (4).
(4) by altering the number of sub-regulation (5a) to (5), and deleting therefrom the words “Unless so packed they will not be accepted for transmission by post.”
(5) by omitting sub-regulation (6) and altering the number of sub-regulation.(8) to (6).
(6) by omitting sub-regulation (7) and inserting the following sub-regulation in its stead:—
(7) When it is apparent to the official to whom a parcel is tendered for transmission that the parcel is not packed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing Regulations, he shall refuse to accept it for transmission until the prescribed conditions are complied with.
(7) by inserting the following sub-regulation:—
(8) If the sender of a parcel desires that the parcel shall be specially protected from damage during transmission through the post, the parcel must be endorsed “fragile” or “perishable” on the outside wrapper, and the higher rate of postage prescribed by regulation 243 must be prepaid. The forwarding of a parcel at such rates of postage does not, however, relieve the sender from complying with the provisions of regulations 220 (1) to 220 (6).
2. Regulation 220a is amended by omitting sub-regulation (2).
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1925, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, were introduced to ensure the proper handling and transportation of parcels through the postal system. Enacted by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations sought to address the issues surrounding the secure and efficient delivery of parcels, particularly those containing fragile or perishable items. The primary objective was to establish stringent guidelines for packaging and marking parcels to minimise damage during transit, ensuring that both the sender and recipient's information were clearly indicated and that parcels were adequately protected against potential harm. These regulations were essential in maintaining the integrity of the postal service and enhancing the overall reliability of parcel delivery within and beyond the Commonwealth.
Scope and Application
The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 apply to individuals and entities engaged in the sending of parcels through the postal system, specifically focusing on the requirements for the packing and labelling of parcels. These regulations are applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia and are intended to ensure the safety and integrity of mail items during transit. The amendments particularly address the labelling of parcels with the sender's and recipient's details, the necessity for proper packing to prevent damage to both the contents and other mail, and the specific marking and postage rates for fragile or perishable items. The regulations provide for refusal of service for parcels that do not meet the specified conditions, thereby extending the application through enforcement actions taken by postal officials. These provisions underscore the importance of compliance for anyone involved in the postal dispatch of goods within Australia.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of these Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 primarily concern the packing and labelling requirements for parcels. Regulation 220(1) stipulates that the name and address of the intended recipient must be clearly indicated on the outside of the parcel, and when a tie-on label is used, this information must also be included on the cover. The sender's name and address must be indicated on parcels addressed to places outside the Commonwealth and on parcels containing potentially hazardous materials within the Commonwealth. Regulation 220(2) requires parcels to be packed in a manner that protects their contents from damage during transit. Regulation 220(7) mandates that parcels requiring special protection must be marked "fragile" or "perishable" and must have the higher rate of postage prepaid.
These Regulations impose several obligations on senders and postal authorities. Senders must ensure that their parcels are adequately labelled with the recipient's and their own information as required, and that parcels are packed in a way that prevents damage during transit. Senders also need to pay the appropriate postage, including the higher rate if the parcel is marked as fragile or perishable. Postal authorities are obligated to refuse transmission of parcels that do not meet the packing and labelling requirements until the necessary conditions are met.
The Regulations outline penalties and consequences for non-compliance. Regulation 220(7) states that if a parcel is not packed according to the stipulated requirements, it will be refused for transmission until compliance is achieved. Failure to label parcels correctly or to pack them adequately may result in damage to the contents or other postal items, with the sender potentially liable for any resulting loss or damage. Additionally, not paying the correct postage, including the higher rate for fragile or perishable items, may result in the parcel not being delivered and the sender potentially facing charges for unpaid postage.