STATUTORY RULES.
1911. No. 214.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1910.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the undermentioned amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, namely,
Postal Regulations.
Packets.—1. Within the Commonwealth and to Papua (British New Guinea), New Zealand, and Fiji; Books; Printed Papers,
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this 18th day of December, One thousand nine hundred and eleven.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
C. E. FRAZER.
Postal Regulations.
Packets.—1. Within the Commonwealth and to Papua (British New Guinea), New Zealand, and Fiji.
The Regulations under this head (Gazette No. 26 of the 5th June, 1902, as amended by Statutory Rules 1911, No 89), are amended by inserting immediately before the Regulation, under the sub-head “Magazines,” the following new Regulation:—
“Books.”
The following articles shall not be eligible for transmission at the book rate of postage:—
Account books, albums (with or without photographs or pictures), catalogues and all publications issued in book form for the purpose of advertisement, diaries, directories, guide books, journals of fashion, music (bound or loose), pamphlets, pocket books, programmes of competitions, prospectuses, reports of companies and other business concerns or of institutions, &c., stationery of all kinds bound in book form, time-tables, and generally all matter properly coming under the head of “printed papers,” “commercial papers,” or “merchandise.”
Printed Papers.
Regulation 1 under this head (Statutory Rules 1911, No. 89), is amended by inserting after the word “catalogues” the signs and words “(except those wholly set up and printed in Australia)”.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by J. Kemp, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.103.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1911, No. 214, titled "Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910," were enacted to address specific operational gaps in the existing postal regulations concerning the classification and postage of various items. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General in Council, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to ensure that the amended regulations could come into immediate effect due to their urgent nature. The primary policy objective behind these amendments was to refine the classification criteria for items eligible for reduced postal rates, particularly targeting printed materials that were being sent within the Commonwealth and to specific territories such as Papua, New Zealand, and Fiji. This adjustment aimed to streamline postal operations and ensure a more accurate application of postage rates.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 apply to the transmission of various types of packets within the Commonwealth of Australia, including the territories of Papua (British New Guinea), New Zealand, and Fiji. These regulations primarily concern the postal services' handling of books and printed papers, specifying which items are eligible for the book rate of postage and which are not. For instance, account books, catalogues not entirely set up and printed in Australia, and publications issued in book form for advertisement purposes are explicitly excluded from the book rate. The regulations also extend to the classification and postage requirements for printed papers, with amendments clarifying that only those printed entirely in Australia are eligible for certain rates. These provisions are designed to regulate the classification and pricing of mailed materials within the specified jurisdictions, ensuring a standardised approach to postage services across these regions. The regulations, declared urgent and effective immediately, provide a clear framework for the postal service to follow in the handling and postage of books and printed materials, facilitating smooth operations within the designated territories.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1911, No. 214, are contained within the amended Postal Regulations, specifically those governing the transmission of packets within the Commonwealth, Papua (British New Guinea), New Zealand, and Fiji. Section 1 amends the existing regulations to clarify what types of books and printed papers are ineligible for transmission at the book rate of postage. The amendment introduces a new sub-heading for "Books," detailing specific exclusions such as account books, catalogues (unless entirely set up and printed in Australia), directories, and various types of printed materials. Section 1 also modifies the existing regulation concerning printed papers to specify that only those wholly set up and printed in Australia are eligible for the book rate.
These regulations impose clear obligations on the parties involved in the transmission of packets, particularly focusing on the classification and eligibility of materials for the book rate of postage. Senders must ensure that the materials they intend to send are not on the list of ineligible items, such as account books, catalogues not printed in Australia, or any other specified types of printed papers. The Australian postal service must also adhere to these regulations in processing and categorising the packets for postage.
Failure to comply with these provisions can result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, under the general framework of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, penalties for non-compliance can include fines, imprisonment, or both. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and intent behind the breach, as well as any subsequent legal interpretations and applications.