Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1912, No. 187, constitute an amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, specifically addressing the payment of postage for official correspondence within the State of Victoria. This legislative instrument was enacted to amend the General Postal Regulations by introducing a change in the responsible authority for receiving postage payments. The regulation was issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1912, No. 119, and came into operation on 28 September 1912. It was made by the Governor-General in Council under the authority delegated by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective of these amendments appears to streamline administrative processes by updating the designation of the authority responsible for collecting postage on official correspondence. The Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, issued these regulations to correct and clarify the procedures for postage payment as outlined in the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910. This change aimed to address a specific administrative gap by replacing the Commissioner of Taxes, Melbourne, with the Collector of Customs, Melbourne, as the entity responsible for receiving postage on official correspondence in Victoria. This amendment ensures that the administrative framework for postal services aligns with the evolving requirements of government operations, maintaining the efficiency and accuracy of postal transactions within the state.

Scope and Application

The amended General Postal Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, as outlined in Statutory Rules 1912, No. 187, specifically address the payment of postage for official correspondence within the State of Victoria. The Regulation alters the initial rule (Statutory Rules 1910, No. 47) by modifying the authority responsible for the collection of postage. Instead of the Commissioner of Taxes in Melbourne being responsible, the Collector of Customs in Melbourne is now designated to handle this duty. This amendment ensures that the proper authority oversees the financial obligations associated with postal services for official communications, thereby clarifying the administrative structure within the postal system. The regulation applies to all official correspondence within the State of Victoria, establishing a clear pathway for the payment of postage, which is essential for the smooth operation of governmental communications.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1912, No. 187, introduces modifications to the General Postal Regulations. Specifically, the regulation amends the existing provisions to include the Collector of Customs, Melbourne, alongside the Commissioner of Taxes, Melbourne, in sub-Regulation (1) concerning the payment of postage by the receiver for official correspondence originating from the State of Victoria. This amendment is set to take effect from the 28th of September, 1912. The obligations imposed by this amendment require that official correspondence from the State of Victoria must now be accompanied by payment of postage to the Collector of Customs, Melbourne, in addition to the existing requirement for payment to the Commissioner of Taxes, Melbourne. This dual requirement ensures that both parties involved in the postal service receive appropriate compensation for their services in handling official correspondence. Failure to comply with the amended regulation could potentially lead to administrative consequences. Although the specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the statutory rules, it is reasonable to infer that any breach of these postal regulations could result in fines or other administrative actions, as is typical in regulatory compliance matters. The precise penalties would likely be determined by the relevant authorities and could vary based on the severity and frequency of the breaches. This amendment underscores the importance of adhering to postal regulations, especially in the context of official communications, to ensure the smooth operation of postal services and to avoid any potential legal or administrative repercussions. The inclusion of the Collector of Customs in the payment process for official correspondence highlights the collaborative nature of postal service provision and regulation.