STATUTORY RULES.
1925. No. 212.
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 forth-with.
Dated this ninth day of December, 1925.
STONEHAVEN,
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. Regulations 185, 190, 191, 193, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, and 272 are amended by omitting the words “value payable” wherever appearing, and inserting in their stead the words “cash on delivery”.
2. Regulation 203 is amended by inserting after the word “glass-ware” the words “phonograph records”.
3. Regulation 247 is amended by inserting after the word “glass-ware” the words “phonograph records”.
4. Regulation 270 is amended—
(a) by omitting therefrom the word “value-payable” where first appearing, and inserting in its stead the words “cash on delivery”;
(b) by omitting therefrom the words “value-payable journal opposite the record of the parcel”, and inserting in their stead the words “required form”.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.17073.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1925, No. 212, which amended the Post and Telegraph Regulations, was enacted to update and refine the operational procedures under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923. This legislative instrument, issued under the authority of the Governor-General, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council, sought to address the need for modernising the terminology and processes within the postal and telegraph services to better reflect contemporary practices. Specifically, the regulations sought to replace the term "value payable" with "cash on delivery" across multiple provisions and to include phonograph records within the scope of certain regulations, reflecting changes in the types of goods being transported.
The intent behind these amendments was to streamline postal operations and ensure that the regulatory framework remained relevant and effective in a changing economic and technological landscape. This adjustment aimed to improve the efficiency and clarity of postal services, ensuring that they could adapt to the evolving needs of the public and the postal service itself. The regulations were brought into effect immediately, underscoring the urgency and importance of these changes to the operations of the postal service during that period.
Scope and Application
The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923 apply to the operations and services provided by the Postmaster-General's Department within the Commonwealth of Australia. The changes primarily focus on modifying terminology to replace "value payable" with "cash on delivery" in several regulations, thereby altering the method of payment for certain postal services. Additionally, the inclusion of "phonograph records" in specific regulations indicates an expansion of the types of goods that can be transported under these amended regulations. This amendment also introduces a new requirement for the use of a "required form" instead of a "value-payable journal" in the handling of parcels. The amendments are designed to bring the regulatory framework up to date with current postal service practices and to ensure clarity and consistency in the application of these regulations. The scope of these amendments is comprehensive, affecting multiple regulations and thus impacting various aspects of postal transactions and record-keeping within the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923, as set out in Statutory Rules 1925, No. 212, introduce a series of changes to various provisions of the original Post and Telegraph Regulations. Key sections such as 185, 190, 191, 193, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, and 272, have been amended to replace the term “value payable” with “cash on delivery” (Regulation 1). This amendment affects the way certain parcel values are to be handled and recorded. Additionally, Regulation 203 and Regulation 247 have been updated to include "phonograph records" alongside "glass-ware" (Regulations 2 and 3). Regulation 270 has been modified to change “value-payable” to “cash on delivery” and to replace "value-payable journal opposite the record of the parcel" with "required form" (Regulation 4). These changes reflect an update in the procedures and terminology used within the postal and telegraph services.
These Regulations impose specific obligations on parties involved in postal and telegraph services. For instance, they mandate that the term "cash on delivery" replaces "value payable" in several sections, necessitating adjustments in how values are assessed and recorded for parcels. The inclusion of "phonograph records" in the list of items alongside "glass-ware" under certain Regulations means that these items now fall under the same regulations and protections. Additionally, the use of a "required form" instead of a "value-payable journal" for recording parcel details introduces a standardised method for documentation. Compliance with these updated terms and procedures is necessary for all entities governed by these Regulations.
Breach of the amended Regulations could lead to various consequences depending on the nature and severity of the non-compliance. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the Regulations themselves, violations of postal and telegraph laws typically result in civil or criminal penalties. These could include fines, corrective actions, or other enforcement measures as prescribed by the overarching Post and Telegraph Act. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific breach and relevant legal provisions.