Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1913, No. 117, issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1913, No. 17, were enacted by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to amend the General Postal Regulations and Telegraphic Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910. This legislative instrument introduced amendments aimed at providing additional flexibility and convenience in postal and telegraphic services, particularly in relation to prepayment of postage for large quantities of mail matter and the payment of telegram charges in cash where approved cash registers were used. The regulations came into operation on 17 May 1913, and were printed and published by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, issued by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, pertain to postal and telegraphic services across the Commonwealth of Australia. These Regulations modify the prepayment requirements for large quantities of mail matter and introduce a fee for a certificate of posting, along with the mandatory affixing of a cancelled penny postage stamp by the issuing officer. Additionally, they provide an amendment to the payment methods for telegrams, allowing for cash payments at offices equipped with approved cash registers. The application of these Regulations extends to all individuals and entities engaging in postal services within Australia, with specific provisions for the payment of postage and fees associated with telegrams. The geographic scope is confined to the Commonwealth, ensuring uniformity in postal and telegraphic practices across the nation. This legislative instrument reflects a commitment to the administrative efficiency of postal and telegraphic services while also providing flexibility in payment methods for telegrams.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1913 No. 117, amended under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, introduce two primary changes. Firstly, in the General Postal Regulations, it allows individuals posting large quantities of mail matter to obtain a certificate of posting by paying a fee of one penny (Regulation 2). This certificate must be affixed with a penny postage stamp, which the issuing officer is required to cancel. Secondly, in the Telegraphic Regulations, it allows for the payment of charges on telegrams lodged at offices using approved cash registers to be settled in cash (Regulation 2). These regulations impose certain obligations on both postal and telegraphic service users and providers. For postal services, individuals posting large quantities of mail must ensure they pay the required fee to obtain a certificate of posting, which acts as proof of postage. This certificate is necessary to validate the payment of postage for the large quantity of mail. For telegraphic services, offices that use approved cash registers must be equipped to handle cash payments for telegram charges. This facilitates a streamlined payment process for customers sending telegrams at these offices. Violations of these regulations may result in certain consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach are not explicitly detailed in the statutory rules, it can be inferred that non-compliance with the payment requirements or failure to obtain the necessary certificate of posting could lead to service disruptions or potential administrative penalties. The exact nature of these consequences would typically be governed by other provisions within the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 or related administrative guidelines.