STATUTORY RULES.
1934. No. 135.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1934.*
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 1901-1934, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this thirty-first day of October, 1934.
ISAAC A. ISAACS
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
A. J. McLACHLAN
Postmaster-General.
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Amendment of the Postal Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1927, No., 144, as amended to this date.)
1. The Postal Regulations are amended by omitting the words “Deputy Postmaster-General” wherever occurring, and inserting in their stead the words “Deputy Director, Posts and Telegraphs”.
2. The Postal Regulations are amended by omitting regulation 205, and inserting the following regulation in its stead:—
“205. If the sender of a cash-on-delivery parcel makes written application in the required form for its return to him prior to its despatch from the office at which it was posted, such cash on delivery parcel shall, on payment of a fee of One shilling and three pence, and the surrender to the Department of the relative certificate of posting, be handed back to the sender, and, subject to the surrender at the time the cash-on-delivery parcel is so returned of the stamps affixed to the parcel in payment of postage and commission, the postage and commission paid shall be refunded to the sender.”
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* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 1st November, 1934.
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By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
4626.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1934, No. 135, enacted under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, introduce amendments to the Postal Regulations to bring them in line with the evolving organisational structure of the postal service. This legislative instrument was made by the Governor-General in Council, aimed at addressing the need to update the regulatory framework to reflect changes in the titles and responsibilities within the postal service. Specifically, the regulations update references from "Deputy Postmaster-General" to "Deputy Director, Posts and Telegraphs", ensuring that the regulatory language is consistent with the current nomenclature. Additionally, the regulation pertaining to the return of cash-on-delivery parcels is revised to include a refund of postage and commission under certain conditions, thereby providing a more customer-centric approach to handling such parcels.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 pertain to the governance and management of postal services within the Commonwealth of Australia. These Regulations apply to individuals and entities involved in the sending, handling, and delivery of postal items, including cash-on-delivery parcels. The amendments outlined in the Statutory Rules of 1934 modify the existing Postal Regulations, most notably by replacing the title "Deputy Postmaster-General" with "Deputy Director, Posts and Telegraphs" and altering the procedure for the return and refund of cash-on-delivery parcels. The amendments establish a new fee structure and a requirement for the surrender of certain postal stamps in order for a sender to reclaim a cash-on-delivery parcel before it is dispatched. These Regulations extend across the Commonwealth, ensuring uniform application of postal service rules and procedures. Any exclusions or exemptions from these provisions are not explicitly stated in the given text, and the applicability of the Regulations may be further extended or restricted through additional subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The principal amendments introduced by Statutory Rules 1934, No. 135 to the Postal Regulations (section 1) replace the title of "Deputy Postmaster-General" with "Deputy Director, Posts and Telegraphs" throughout the regulations, ensuring that the updated title reflects current roles and responsibilities. The regulation also introduces a new rule (section 2) that allows for the return of cash-on-delivery parcels to the sender if a written application is made before dispatch, provided the sender pays a specified fee and surrenders the posting certificate and stamps affixed to the parcel. This new rule aims to provide flexibility and convenience to senders who may wish to reclaim their parcels under certain conditions.
These amendments impose specific obligations on both the senders and the postal service providers. Senders must complete a written application in the required form and pay the prescribed fee to reclaim their cash-on-delivery parcels. They must also surrender the posting certificate and any postage stamps affixed to the parcel. Postal service providers, on the other hand, must implement these new provisions by accepting written applications, collecting the required fee, and refunding postage and commission if applicable, all while ensuring that the returned parcels are handled according to the stipulated conditions.
Failure to comply with the provisions of these regulations could result in civil or administrative penalties. For instance, if a sender does not adhere to the requirements for reclaiming a parcel, such as not submitting a written application or not surrendering the necessary stamps and certificate, the postal service may refuse to return the parcel or may charge additional fees. Additionally, any postal service provider found not to be implementing the regulations correctly could face scrutiny or penalties for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, they could potentially include fines or other enforcement actions as outlined in the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934.