STATUTORY RULES.
1944. No. 145.
––––––
REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1934.*
I, THE Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934.
Dated this fourth day of October, 1944.
W. DUGAN
ADMINISTRATOR
By His Excellency’s Command,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Postal Regulations.†
Prohibited articles.
Regulation 199 of the Postal Regulations is amended—
(a) by inserting after the word “combustion,” the word matches”;
(b) by inserting after the word “animals,” the words “opium suitable for smoking, alcoholic beverages (other than bona fide samples each of which does not exceed 6 ounces in weight), contraband articles,”;
(c) by omitting the word “objectionable” and inserting in its stead the word “prohibited”; and
(d) by adding at the end thereof the words “and shall be disposed of in such manner as the Postmaster-General directs”.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1944.
† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 3, as amended by Statutory Rules 1935, Nos. 53, 70, 80, 95; 1936, Nos. 50 and 113; 1937, Nos. 13, 35, 37 and 48; 1938, Nos. 2, 55, 94 and 100; 1939, Nos. 44, 57 and 66; 1940, Nos. 1 and 232; 1942, Nos. 5, 313, 439 and 554; and 1943, Nos. 57, 94, 122 and 286.
By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
4380.—Price 3d. 10/28.8.1944.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aimed to consolidate and amend laws relating to postal and telegraph services, ensuring efficient and reliable communication across the nation. In 1944, the Commonwealth Government introduced Statutory Rules No. 145 under this Act to address specific gaps and issues in the existing postal regulations. These amendments sought to update the list of prohibited articles to better align with contemporary safety and regulatory standards, as well as to clarify the process for disposal of such items. This legislative instrument was issued by the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, with the objective of maintaining the integrity and security of the postal system.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1944, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, govern the conduct and operations of postal services within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation applies to all persons and entities involved in the handling, transportation, and delivery of mail, including postal workers, delivery services, and businesses using postal services. It specifically targets the types of articles that can be sent through the postal system, outlining what is considered prohibited and detailing the manner in which these items should be disposed of as directed by the Postmaster-General. The regulations extend to the entire Commonwealth, ensuring a uniform approach across all states and territories. Notably, the regulations amend the list of prohibited articles to include matches, opium suitable for smoking, alcoholic beverages over a specified weight limit, and contraband items, and clarify that these items must be disposed of as directed by the Postmaster-General. The scope of these regulations can be further refined or expanded through subordinate instruments, ensuring flexibility in adapting to new challenges or circumstances.
Key Provisions
The regulations amend Regulation 199 of the Postal Regulations, as previously established under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, to expand the list of prohibited articles that cannot be sent through the mail. Specifically, the regulations add matches, opium suitable for smoking, alcoholic beverages (with an exemption for bona fide samples not exceeding 6 ounces in weight), contraband articles, and any other items deemed prohibited by the Postmaster-General. These amendments are intended to further restrict the types of items that can be sent through the postal system, enhancing the regulation of mail content. The regulations clarify that any prohibited articles must be disposed of in the manner directed by the Postmaster-General, ensuring compliance with the new rules.
The obligations imposed by these regulations are primarily on postal service providers and users of the postal system. Postal service providers must ensure that they do not facilitate the mailing of prohibited items as defined in the amended Regulation 199. This includes the responsibility of identifying, intercepting, and disposing of any prohibited articles in accordance with the Postmaster-General's directives. Postal service users, on the other hand, are required to adhere to the new restrictions on what can be mailed, ensuring that their packages and letters comply with the updated list of prohibited articles.
Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to various consequences. If an individual or entity violates the provisions by attempting to mail prohibited items, they may face civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided excerpt, but generally, such breaches can result in fines or other sanctions as prescribed by the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 or other relevant legislation. The severity of the penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the violation, as well as any previous offences. It is crucial for all parties governed by these regulations to understand and comply with the updated rules to avoid any legal repercussions.