Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1910, No. 135, amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 to address administrative and operational needs within the postal and telephone services. Enacted by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations introduced amendments to ensure smooth functioning and specific provisions for electoral papers, payment of postage by the receiver, official correspondence, and temporary telephonic communication required by Rifle Clubs. The policy objective behind these amendments was to streamline postal and telephone services, particularly in relation to the 1911 Commonwealth Census and electoral processes, while ensuring that necessary communications for governance and public services were effectively managed and facilitated.

Scope and Application

The Postal Regulations outlined in the Statutory Rules 1910, No. 135, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, provide specific provisions for the free postage of electoral papers, subject to certain conditions. These provisions apply to electoral and police officers who must ensure that the articles are correctly labelled as 'Commonwealth Electoral Papers only, Post Free' or bear a specific endorsement for ballot papers. This regulation ensures that the postage for these articles is covered by the Commonwealth. Additionally, the regulations extend to cover postal articles related to the Commonwealth Census of 1911, which, if posted within Australia, can be sent without prepayment of postage, with the recipient being responsible for paying the postage upon delivery. The amendments to the Telephone Regulations also detail specific charges for temporary telephonic communication, with a reduction for Rifle Clubs when using telephones without exchange service. These regulations apply nationwide, affecting various entities and individuals involved in electoral processes and census activities. The exclusion for Rifle Clubs in the telephone regulations indicates a targeted exemption within the broader scope of the legislation.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 (Statutory Rules 1910, No. 135) concern postal articles containing electoral papers, the payment of postage by the receiver, and telephone regulations. Firstly, electoral papers can be sent free of charge if they are properly marked as such and intended for electoral or police officers (Regulation 1(1)). Secondly, postal articles addressed for the 1911 Commonwealth Census can be sent without prepayment, but the postage must be paid by the recipient upon delivery (Regulation 1(2)). Lastly, temporary telephonic communication by Rifle Clubs is exempt from certain charges if the telephones are used without exchange service (Regulation 125(a)). The obligations imposed by these Regulations are primarily concerned with the proper marking and handling of postal articles. For electoral papers, the sender must ensure the articles are clearly marked as containing only electoral papers and are addressed appropriately (Regulation 1(1)). In the case of the 1911 Commonwealth Census, the sender must address the articles correctly and ensure they bear the necessary indications (Regulation 1(2)). Additionally, Rifle Clubs must ensure that their temporary telephonic communications are set up without exchange service to avoid additional charges (Regulation 125(a)). Breach of these Regulations may result in civil or administrative consequences. For instance, if postal articles containing electoral papers are not correctly marked, they may be subject to postage charges. Similarly, if articles meant for the 1911 Commonwealth Census are not properly addressed or marked, they may also incur postage charges upon delivery. The Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but failure to adhere to these requirements could lead to financial liabilities for the sender or recipient. Additionally, misuse of telephonic communication services could result in unexpected charges for Rifle Clubs if they do not adhere to the specified conditions.