Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1905 No. 40, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, introduce regulations governing postal services and telegraphy within Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations aim to provide a structured framework for the management of postal and telegraphic services, addressing issues such as the delivery of postal items, the inspection of telegrams, and the fees associated with these services. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure efficient and orderly operations within the postal and telegraphic systems, facilitating effective communication and the smooth handling of correspondence and telegrams across the Commonwealth. This legislative instrument was designed to address gaps in the initial regulations published in 1902, providing amendments and clarifications to better serve the public and postal authorities.

Scope and Application

The Postal Regulations, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1905 No. 40, govern the use and transmission of postcards and printed papers within the Commonwealth of Australia and between Australia and New Zealand. These regulations apply to individuals, businesses, and entities that utilise postal services, including the transmission of written communications via postcards and the distribution of printed matter. They provide specific guidelines on the permissible dimensions and content of postcards, including the division of space for written communication and address details. Additionally, these regulations address the handling of postal articles when a firm is dissolved, stipulating that postal items may be withheld or sent to the Dead Letter Office if disputes arise among the former members of the firm. The Telegraphic Regulations, also outlined in these statutory rules, pertain to telegrams sent within the Commonwealth, including multiple telegrams to multiple recipients or a single recipient at multiple locations. These regulations detail the charges for non-urgent and urgent multiple telegrams, as well as the fees for searching and inspecting telegrams after they have been sent. The regulations establish a clear framework for the transmission, inspection, and inspection fees associated with telegrams, ensuring the efficient operation of telegraph services within the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as set out in Statutory Rules 1905, No. 40, provide specific provisions concerning postal services, telegraphic communications, and related matters. These regulations, which came into operation on 15 July 1905, amend and replace previous regulations published in the Gazette on 5 June 1902. The regulations are structured under several headings, including Postal Regulations, General Postal Regulations, and Telegraphic Regulations, each addressing different aspects of postal and telegraphic services. Under the Postal Regulations, two key provisions are introduced. Firstly, regulation 4a allows for the use of pictorial post-cards within the Commonwealth and between the Commonwealth and New Zealand. These cards may be divided by a vertical line, with the left side used for written communication and the right side reserved for the address. Secondly, regulation 4, which pertains to printed papers, is amended to permit post-cards bearing the words "Printed Matter" to be treated as printed papers, provided the sender adheres to relevant regulations and the card contains only the recipient's name and address. The General Postal Regulations introduce a new regulation (regulation 16) concerning the delivery of postal articles when a firm is dissolved. When a member of the dissolved firm notifies the postmaster to withhold delivery to anyone other than themselves, the postmaster may refuse to deliver such articles unless an agreement is reached among the interested parties. If no agreement is reached, the postmaster can mark the articles "In Dispute" and send them to the Dead Letter Office. However, if the article bears a request for its return if not delivered within a certain time, it should be returned to the sender after the specified time has elapsed. These articles cannot be sent to the Dead Letter Office until thirty days have passed since the receipt of the notification. The Telegraphic Regulations outline several provisions related to telegrams. Regulation concerning multiple telegrams stipulates that a single telegram can be addressed to several persons in the same locality or different localities served by the same telegraph office. The charge for non-urgent multiple telegrams includes the charge for a single telegram for the first copy, plus an additional 5d for each 100 words or fraction of 100 words for each additional copy. Urgent multiple telegrams incur a charge equivalent to the charge for a single urgent telegram for the first copy, plus 10d for each 100 words or fraction of 100 words for each additional copy. Press telegrams can be supplied throughout the Commonwealth for 4d per 100 words or fraction of 100 words for each copy. Regulations pertaining to the inspection and search of telegrams state that a telegram can be inspected by the sender without charge on the day it is lodged for transmission. The sender, addressee, or their agents can inspect and obtain certified copies or extracts of the telegram within two years of its lodgement, subject to providing satisfactory proof of identity and paying a search fee. The search fee is 1s if sufficient particulars are provided, or 2s 6d or 1s per day's messages examined, whichever is greater, if the particulars are insufficient. If a copy or extract is sent by telegraph, half rates are charged for transmission in addition to the search fee. Breach of these regulations may result in various civil or administrative consequences, such as refusal of service, delivery of disputed articles to the Dead Letter Office, or financial penalties for non-compliance with fees and charges. However, the specific penalties for breaches are not detailed in the text provided.