POSTAL RATES.
No. 24 of 1910.
An Act relating to Postal Rates.
[Assented to 25th November, 1910.]
BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Postal Rates Act 1910.
(2.) The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by the Tasmanian Cable Rates Act 1906 and by this Act, may be cited as the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1910.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
State regulating rates.
3. Section two of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 is amended by omitting therefrom all words from and including “But the regulations in force in any State” to the end of the section.
Amendment of s. 6.
4. Section six of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by inserting therein, after the words “set out in” the words “Part I. of”, and
(b) by adding thereto the following sub-section:—
Letter, &c., rates.
“(2.) The rates of postage for the postal articles set out in the first column of Part II. of the First Schedule and posted within the Commonwealth for delivery therein shall be as set out in the second column of that Part.”
Amendment of s. 9.
5. Section nine of the Principal Act is amended by omitting therefrom the words “and letters.”
Amendment of postal rates.
6. The First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by inserting therein before the word “Newspapers” the words “Part I.”, and
(b) by adding thereto Part II. as follows:—
“PART II.—POSTAL ARTICLES.
First Column. ——— Postal Articles. | Second Column. —— Rates of Postage. |
Letters........................................ | 1d. per ½ ounce. |
Letter-Cards..................................... | Single, 1d. each. Reply, 1d. each half. |
Post Cards...................................... | Single, 1d. each. Reply, 1d. each half. |
Printed Papers as Prescribed.......................... | ½d. per 2 ounces or part of 2 ounces. |
Books Printed outside Australia........................ | ½d. per 4 ounces or part of 4 ounces. |
Books Printed in Australia........................... | ½d. per 8 ounces or part of 8 ounces. |
Magazines.—That is to say— | |
(a) magazines, reviews, serials, and other similar publications printed and published in Australia in numbers at intervals not exceeding three months | ½d. per 8 ounces or part of 8 ounces. |
(b) magazines, reviews, serials, and other similar publications (including newspapers) printed and published outside Australia in numbers at intervals not exceeding three months | ½d. per 4 ounces or part of 4 ounces. |
Hansard.—That is, reports of Parliamentary Debates printed and published by the authority of the Commonwealth or of a State | ½d. per 12 ounces or part of 12 ounces. |
Commercial Papers, Patterns, Samples, and Merchandise as Prescribed | 1d. per 2 ounces or part of 2 ounces.” |
Overview
The Postal Rates Act 1910 was enacted to address the need for standardised postal rates within the Commonwealth of Australia. This Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to amend and regulate the rates for postal services, aligning them with the needs of the growing nation. The Act aimed to ensure consistency and fairness in postal charges across different regions within Australia, thereby facilitating more efficient and equitable postal services. The policy objective of this legislation was to standardise postal rates, thereby enhancing the accessibility and affordability of postal services for the general public and businesses alike.
Scope and Application
The Postal Rates Act 1910 applies to the rates of postage for various postal articles within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically detailing the rates for letters, postcards, printed papers, books, magazines, and other commercial materials. It amends the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902, particularly focusing on the rates of postage for postal articles posted within the Commonwealth and delivered therein. The Act removes the need for state regulation of postal rates and sets out specific rates for different categories of postal articles, including distinctions between publications printed within Australia and those printed outside Australia. The Act's provisions extend nationally, affecting all entities and individuals involved in postal transactions within Australia. The Act does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the provided text, but it is likely that certain types of mail or transactions may be excluded or regulated differently through subordinate instruments or other legislation.
Key Provisions
The Postal Rates Act 1910 (C1910A00024) amends the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902, focusing primarily on setting and regulating postal rates within Australia. Section 1 outlines the short title and citation of the Act, while Section 2 specifies the commencement date, which will be determined by proclamation. Section 3 amends the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 by removing specific references to State regulations, which likely centralises control over postal rates. Section 4 modifies Section 6 of the Principal Act by inserting references to Part I of the amended Act and adding new sub-sections that detail the rates for different postal articles. Finally, Section 6 provides a comprehensive First Schedule that lists the new rates for various postal items, such as letters, postcards, printed papers, books, magazines, and Hansard.
The Act imposes specific obligations on parties involved in the postal service, primarily focusing on the setting and adherence to prescribed postal rates. The amendments made by this Act require that postal articles be charged according to the new rates outlined in the First Schedule, with distinctions made based on the origin and type of publication. This ensures that all parties using the postal service comply with the new regulatory framework established by the Act.
Breaches of the provisions outlined in the Postal Rates Act 1910 can lead to civil and criminal consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, the enforcement of these rates likely implies that failure to adhere to the prescribed rates could result in fines or other legal actions. The severity of penalties would depend on the extent of the breach and any additional regulations or common law principles applicable at the time of enforcement.