Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1913, No. 103, enacted under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, were introduced to address issues surrounding the distribution and registration of newspapers through the postal system. These regulations, issued by the Governor-General in Council and coming into operation on 3 May 1913, aim to ensure that newspapers listed in the postal register are accurately accounted for, particularly in terms of their bona fide subscribers and sales. The policy objective is to maintain a clear and accurate record of newspaper distribution, ensuring that only those newspapers with legitimate circulation are included in the postal registry. This legislative instrument represents an amendment to the existing postal regulations concerning newspapers, providing the Deputy Postmaster-General with additional powers to request evidence from newspaper proprietors, printers, or publishers to verify circulation details.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, specifically targeting the postal regulations for newspapers, applies to proprietors, printers, or publishers of newspapers listed in the register as stipulated by Section 29 of the Act. This encompasses any individual or entity involved in the publication or distribution of newspapers within the scope of the Act. The regulation mandates that these parties must provide evidence, including statutory declarations and any additional particulars deemed necessary, to determine the eligibility of a newspaper for continued registration based on its circulation to bona fide subscribers or for bona fide sale. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across all states within the Commonwealth of Australia, and is governed by the overarching provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910. No specific exclusions or exemptions are detailed in the regulation itself, though the scope of application may be further refined through subordinate instruments or administrative decisions.

Key Provisions

The amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, introduced as Regulation 1A, requires the Deputy Postmaster-General to request evidence from the proprietor, printer, or publisher of any newspaper listed in the register, as per Section 29 of the Act. This evidence must include a statutory declaration detailing the total percentage of copies that are sold to bona fide subscribers or handed over for bona fide sale, along with any additional information deemed necessary by the Deputy Postmaster-General to ascertain whether the newspaper should remain on the register (Regulation 1A). These regulations impose specific obligations on newspaper proprietors, printers, and publishers. They are required to provide detailed evidence, in the form of a statutory declaration, about the distribution and sale of their newspapers. This evidence must include the percentage of copies sold to bona fide subscribers or handed over for sale and any other pertinent details that the Deputy Postmaster-General may require to make an informed decision regarding the newspaper's registration status (Regulation 1A). Failure to comply with these requirements can result in significant consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed within the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that such failure could lead to the newspaper being removed from the register. This could potentially disrupt the newspaper's distribution and mail services, which are integral to its operation and reach. Furthermore, continued non-compliance might invite further scrutiny or legal action under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910.