Postal Regulations 1935 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1940, No. 232, enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, are Regulations made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934. These Regulations address specific administrative changes within the postal system, including the amendment of the Postal Regulations to update registration processes for literary and educational publications and the adjustment of the cost for repurchasing stamps on cards issued to broadcast listeners. The primary objective of these amendments is to streamline and modernise postal services and regulations in response to the changing needs of the time. This legislative instrument reflects the commitment of the Commonwealth government to ensure the efficient and effective operation of postal services in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, specifically Statutory Rules 1940, No. 232, apply to the Commonwealth of Australia and are made by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations primarily concern the registration of books and the repurchase of stamps on cards issued to broadcast listeners. The scope of the Act includes printed or printed and illustrated publications of a literary or educational nature, authored by Australian authors and printed within Australia. Such publications may be registered as books, with the application process requiring submission to a Deputy Director and the inclusion of a copy of the publication. Additionally, the regulations amend the financial terms associated with the repurchase of stamps on cards issued to broadcast listeners. The changes involve a slight adjustment in the monetary amount, reflecting the intent to update the financial parameters under the existing legislative framework. These regulations extend the application of the Act through amendments to specific sub-regulations, ensuring that the legislative provisions remain current and relevant.

Key Provisions

The legislative instrument (C1940L00232) amends the Postal Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934. Specifically, it revises Regulation 43 concerning the registration of books and alters Regulation 117 regarding the repurchase of stamps on cards issued to broadcast listeners. The changes were made by omitting certain figures and inserting new ones. Regulation 43 now permits the registration of printed or printed and illustrated publications of a literary or educational character written by Australian authors and printed in Australia. An application for registration must be submitted to a Deputy Director in the format required by the Department, accompanied by a copy of the relevant publication in proof or complete form. Regulation 117 has been adjusted to reduce the repurchase price of stamps on cards from 21 shillings to 20 shillings. These amendments impose specific requirements on publishers and applicants seeking to register their works as books under the Postal Regulations. They must ensure their publications meet the criteria of being written by Australian authors and printed in Australia. Additionally, they must submit their applications in the prescribed format and include a copy of the publication as required. These regulations also impose a financial obligation on individuals who wish to repurchase stamps on cards, now priced at 20 shillings instead of 21 shillings. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the amended regulations may result in civil or administrative consequences. For instance, non-compliance with the registration requirements for books may prevent the publication from being registered and could affect its eligibility for postal services or other benefits associated with registered publications. Similarly, inaccurately priced stamps on cards could lead to disputes over the correct repurchase value, potentially resulting in administrative penalties or corrections. While specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, breaches of postal regulations typically attract fines or other sanctions as stipulated in the overarching Post and Telegraph Act.