STATUTORY RULES.
1921. No. 197.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1916.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this eleventh day of October, 1921.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
GEO. H. WISE,
Postmaster-General.
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Amendments of the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as amended to this date.)
1. Regulation 52 is amended by adding the following words:—
“, but if, on receiving an article surcharged as above, the addressee opens it in the presence of the postmaster and it is found to contain only matter that is entitled to pass at packet rate, the surcharge shall be remitted.”
2. Regulation 263 is repealed, and the following regulation is inserted in its stead:—
263. When articles sent in execution of an order from one individual must necessarily on account of weight be forwarded in one or more parcels, which are posted at the same time and to the same address, a single remittance for the whole order may be arranged provided that the sender indicates the total amount in one sum. In that case the addressee shall pay the total amount and take delivery of all the parcels at the same time. If, however, the sender desires to give the addressee the option of taking delivery of the parcels in instalments, the sender must indicate the value of each parcel which, less commission on the money order or poundage on postal notes, as the case may be, shall be remitted as soon as delivery is taken of each parcel. In the latter case, however, the certificate provided for in regulation 262 must specify that, to the best of the sender's knowledge, the articles are for the bonâ fide personal use of the addressee.
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph (Packets and Postal Notes) Regulations 1921, as amended by Statutory Rules 1921, No. 197, were enacted to refine and update the regulatory framework governing the handling of parcels and postal notes under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. These regulations were introduced to address issues that had arisen concerning the appropriate application of surcharges for parcels and the payment arrangements for multiple parcels sent under a single order. The objective was to streamline the processes and ensure fairness in the handling of parcels and monetary instruments within the postal system. The enacting body was the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, reflecting the legislative authority vested in the federal government to regulate postal services. The policy objective of these regulations was to enhance efficiency and clarity in postal transactions, thereby improving service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, as amended by the Statutory Rules of 1921, govern the operations of the postal service in Australia, extending to all individuals, entities, and businesses that use postal services within the Commonwealth. These regulations apply to the conduct of sending and receiving postal articles, including the imposition of surcharges for articles exceeding standard packet rates and the procedures for remittance when articles are sent in multiple parcels. The regulations are designed to streamline the process of handling parcels that must be sent in multiple installments, allowing for either a single remittance for the entire order or separate remittances for each parcel, contingent on the sender's instructions and the nature of the contents. Notably, these regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions, applying broadly to all compliant conduct under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. The application of these regulations can be further extended or refined through subordinate instruments, ensuring the adaptability and relevance of the postal service framework in Australia.
Key Provisions
The amended Post and Telegraph Regulations 1921 introduce several key provisions that modify existing rules and introduce new guidelines. Under Regulation 52, if an article is surcharged but subsequently found to contain only matter eligible for packet rate upon inspection by the postmaster, the surcharge will be remitted (Regulation 52). This provides a safeguard for addressees who may be unfairly charged additional fees. Furthermore, Regulation 263 has been revised to allow for a single remittance for multiple parcels sent as part of a single order, provided the sender specifies the total amount. If the sender prefers, they can allow the addressee to take delivery in instalments, with each parcel's value being remitted upon delivery, less any commission or poundage (Regulation 263). However, this option requires the sender to confirm that the items are for the addressee's genuine personal use, as outlined in Regulation 262.
These regulations impose specific obligations on both senders and recipients of postal articles. Senders must accurately indicate the total amount or individual values of parcels when sending multiple items, ensuring compliance with the remittance process. They must also declare the intended use of the articles if they choose to allow instalment deliveries. Recipients, on the other hand, are required to cooperate with postmasters during inspections and to settle any applicable fees upon receiving their articles. The regulations also necessitate that postmasters inspect articles when requested and remit surcharges if the contents are found to be eligible for a lower rate.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in various consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of postal regulations can generally lead to financial penalties, administrative actions, or other civil or criminal consequences as stipulated by relevant laws. For example, incorrect declarations or non-compliance with remittance requirements might result in financial charges or administrative sanctions. The precise penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any applicable provisions in the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916.