STATUTORY RULES.
1952. No. 38.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1950.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950.
Dated this first
day of May , 1952.
W.J. McKell
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Postmaster-General.
Amendments of the Postal Regulations.†
Payment of customs duty by sender.
1. Regulation 212 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting the words “ at the rate of Two shillings for each Five shillings or fraction of Five shillings of the declared value of the parcel ” and inserting in their stead the words “ of such an amount as the Postmaster-General determines ”.
Payments to masters of vessels.
2. Regulation 258 of the Postal Regulations is amended by omitting the table and inserting in its stead the following table :—
Conveyance of— | Rate of payment. |
Letters and post cards in harbours and on rivers | Eightpence per pound |
Mails (other than letters and post cards) in harbours and on rivers | One shilling and fourpence per hundredweight |
Mails to places within the Commonwealth otherwise than in harbours and on rivers | Ten pounds per ton by weight |
Mails to places beyond the Commonwealth— | |
Where the mails are to be conveyed up to three thousand miles | Eleven pounds ten shillings per ton by weight |
Where the mails are to be conveyed over three thousand miles and up to six thousand miles | Twenty-two pounds six shilling and ninepence per ton by weight |
Where the mails are to be conveyed over six thousand miles | Twenty-six pounds four shilling per ton by weight |
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1952
† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 3, as amended by Statutory Rules 1935, Nos. 53, 70, 80 and 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 ; 1943, Nos. 57, 94, 122, 237 and 286 ; 1944, No. 145 ; 1945, No. 194 ; 1946, Nos. 131 and 149 ; 1947, Nos. 91 and 114 ; 1948, No. 62 ; 1949, Nos. 23, 30, 38 and 106 ; 1950, Nos. 49 and 93 ; and 1951, Nos. 22 and 72.
By Authority : L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra
5472.—Price 3d. 10/4.3.1952.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1952 No. 38, titled "Regulations Under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950," was enacted in 1952 by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, W.J. McKell, on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This legislation aimed to amend existing regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act, addressing the need to update postal regulations to reflect changing circumstances and requirements in the delivery of postal services. The intent was to provide the Postmaster-General with the flexibility to determine customs duty rates and to adjust payments to masters of vessels transporting mail, thereby ensuring the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of postal operations.
Scope and Application
The Regulations Under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950 provide specific amendments to the Postal Regulations, governing various aspects of postal services within Australia and internationally. These regulations apply to all individuals and entities involved in the sending, receiving, or transportation of mail, including those who use postal services for international correspondence and parcels. The scope extends to the payment of customs duty by senders of international mail, as well as the rates for payments to masters of vessels conveying mail within and beyond the Commonwealth. The regulations also establish detailed payment schedules for different types of mail, whether it is being transported within Australia or to international destinations, with varying rates depending on the distance and weight of the mail. While the primary focus is on the financial aspects and logistical requirements of postal services, the regulations also encompass broader operational aspects, ensuring that both domestic and international postal services are efficiently managed and financially viable. The application of these regulations is nationwide, impacting both governmental and private sectors involved in postal activities across the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950, particularly the amendments to the Postal Regulations as outlined in Statutory Rules 1952 No. 38, bring about significant changes to the payment of customs duty and the rates for the conveyance of mails. Regulation 212 is amended to allow the Postmaster-General to determine the amount of customs duty payable on parcels, moving away from a fixed rate of two shillings for each five shillings of the declared value (section 1). This change provides flexibility in the application of customs duties based on varying circumstances and market conditions. Regulation 258 introduces a new table specifying the rates of payment to masters of vessels for the conveyance of mails. The new rates are set for letters and post cards in harbours and on rivers at eightpence per pound, for other mails in the same areas at one shilling and fourpence per hundredweight, and for mails to places within the Commonwealth at ten pounds per ton by weight (section 2). For mails to places beyond the Commonwealth, the rates vary based on the distance to be covered, ranging from eleven pounds ten shillings per ton for distances up to three thousand miles, to twenty-six pounds four shillings per ton for distances over six thousand miles.
These regulations impose clear obligations on parties involved in the conveyance of mails. Senders of parcels must now adhere to the customs duty rates as determined by the Postmaster-General, rather than relying on a fixed rate. Masters of vessels are required to charge the specified rates for the conveyance of mails, depending on the type of mail and the destination. The Postmaster-General has the authority to enforce these regulations and ensure compliance through appropriate measures. The obligations extend to ensuring that the new rates are communicated and adhered to by all relevant parties, thereby maintaining the efficiency and fairness of postal services.
Breaches of these regulations may result in legal consequences, although specific offences, penalties, or consequences are not detailed within the statutory rules themselves. Generally, non-compliance with regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act could lead to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. Penalties could include fines, legal action, or other administrative sanctions as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The exact nature and extent of penalties would be determined in accordance with the broader legal framework governing postal services and regulatory compliance in Australia.