STATUTORY RULES
1928. No. 62.
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 fifth day of July, 1928.
STONEHAVEN
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. GIBSON
Postmaster-General.
———
Amendment of the Postal Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1927, No. 144.)
1. The proviso to Regulation 70 is amended by inserting after the word “articles” the words “posted in the Commonwealth.”
2. Regulation 181 is amended by omitting sub-regulation (1) and inserting the following in its stead:—
(1) If the sender of a parcel makes written application, in the required form, for the return of the parcel to him prior to its despatch from the office at which it was posted, such parcel shall, upon payment of a fee of One shilling, be handed back to the sender, and subject to the surrender to the Department at the time the parcel is so returned of the stamps affixed to the parcel in prepayment of postage, the postage paid shall be refunded to the sender.
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
1302.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1928, No. 62, amends the Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, bringing forth changes to enhance the efficiency and administration of postal services within the Commonwealth of Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument aims to address operational gaps and refine procedures concerning the return of parcels and postage refunds, thereby ensuring smoother transactions and better compliance with postal regulations. This amendment responds to practical issues encountered in the postal system, improving the mechanisms for parcel returns and refunds, which were previously outlined in the Statutory Rules 1927, No. 144. The policy objective is to streamline postal services, making them more user-friendly and efficient for the public.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 govern the operations and services provided by the postal system within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to individuals and entities sending, receiving, or handling mail and parcels within Australia, ensuring that postal services adhere to specified standards and procedures. The scope of these regulations encompasses the entire postal system, including the handling of both domestic and international mail. They outline the processes for the collection, transportation, and delivery of mail, as well as the fees and charges associated with various postal services. The regulations also provide for the return of undelivered parcels and the refund of postage under certain conditions, as amended by the recent statutory rules. The geographic reach of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, and they apply uniformly across the states and territories. Subordinate instruments may further extend or specify the application of these regulations, ensuring that the postal system operates efficiently and effectively within the legal framework established by the overarching Post and Telegraph Act.
Key Provisions
The primary sections of these amended regulations pertain to the handling and return of parcels posted within the Commonwealth of Australia. Regulation 70 has been modified to clarify that the proviso applies specifically to articles posted within the Commonwealth, adding a layer of specificity to the original regulation (Section 1). Furthermore, Regulation 181 has been significantly revised to allow for the return of a parcel to the sender before it leaves the posting office, provided a written application is made in the required form, and a fee of One shilling is paid. If the parcel is returned in this manner, the sender will receive a refund of the postage paid, minus any stamps surrendered to the Department at the time of return (Section 2(1)).
These regulations impose certain obligations on parties involved in the postal service. Senders of parcels are required to complete a written application in the prescribed form if they wish to reclaim their parcel before it leaves the posting office. Additionally, they must pay the specified fee of One shilling to facilitate the return. The Department, in turn, is obligated to process these applications and refund the postage if the parcel is returned with the required stamps surrendered. These obligations ensure that the process for reclaiming parcels is clear and that both the sender and the Department understand their respective duties.
Failure to comply with these regulations could result in various consequences. While the regulations themselves do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, any breach of the terms set out in the amended regulations could potentially lead to administrative actions or disputes over the refund of postage. For instance, if a sender does not follow the required procedure for reclaiming a parcel, they may not be entitled to a refund of the postage. It is important for all parties to adhere to these provisions to avoid any potential issues or disputes arising from non-compliance.