STATUTORY RULES.
1910. No. 136.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901.
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, namely:—
Postal Regulations.
Packets.—1. Within the Commonwealth and to Papua (British New Guinea), New Zealand, and Fiji; Commercial Papers; Terms and Conditions under which Packets may be transmitted within the Commonwealth;
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this twenty-second day of December, One thousand nine hundred and ten.
DUDLEY,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. L. BATCHELOR.
Postal Regulations.
Packets.—1. Within the Commonwealth and to Papua (British New Guinea), New Zealand, and Fiji.
Commercial Papers.
The Regulation under this head (Gazette, No, 26, of 5th June, 1902, page 237) is amended by inserting after the sub-paragraph beginning with the words “Bankers’ Packets” the following sub-paragraph:—
“Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury, or from one bank to another, within the Commonwealth, in sealed packets bearing upon the cove ring wrappers the words ‘Australian Notes only.’”
——
Terms and Conditions under which Packets may be transmitted within the Commonwealth.
The Regulations under this head (Gazette, No. 26, of 5th June, 1902, pages 239 and 240) are amended—
(a) By adding at the end of first paragraph of Regulation 3 the following words:—
“Provided further that Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury, or from one bank to another, within the Commonwealth, in packets bearing upon the covering wrappers the words ‘Australian Notes only,’ may be sent through the post sealed against inspection.”
C.17847.—Price 3d.
(b) By inserting at the commencement of the tenth paragraph of Regulation 3 the words “Except in the case of Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury, or from one bank to another, within the Commonwealth, in sealed packets bearing upon the covering wrappers the words ‘Australian Notes only.’”
(c) By inserting at the commencement of Regulation 7 the words “Except in the case of Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury, or from one bank to another, within the Commonwealth, in sealed packets bearing upon the covering wrappers the words ‘Australian Notes only.’”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by J. Kemp, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, made in 1910, were introduced to address the urgent need for amendments to the postal regulations concerning the handling and transmission of Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations aimed to ensure the secure and confidential transmission of such notes within the Commonwealth and to specified territories like Papua, New Zealand, and Fiji. The policy objective was to facilitate the movement of Australian Government notes between banks and the Commonwealth Treasury while maintaining the integrity and security of these transactions through sealed and labelled packets. This legislative instrument reflects the Commonwealth's early efforts to regulate the postal service comprehensively, ensuring it met the evolving needs of the nation's financial infrastructure.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as amended by these Statutory Rules, apply to the transmission of postal packets within the Commonwealth of Australia and to specific territories, including Papua (British New Guinea), New Zealand, and Fiji. These regulations specifically address the handling and conditions of commercial papers, particularly focusing on Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes. The amendments allow for the sealed transmission of Australian Notes in packets bearing the words 'Australian Notes only', from or to the Commonwealth Treasury or between banks within the Commonwealth. The regulations detail the terms and conditions for such transmissions, allowing for sealed packets to be sent through the post without inspection, except where specified otherwise. These provisions are designed to ensure secure and efficient handling of sensitive financial documents while maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the transmission process.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Postal Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as amended by Statutory Rules 1910, No. 136, involve the transmission of Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes within the Commonwealth and to Papua, New Zealand, and Fiji. Section 1 of the amended Regulations introduces new sub-paragraphs related to the handling of commercial papers, specifically Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury or from one bank to another within the Commonwealth. These notes must be sent in sealed packets bearing the words 'Australian Notes only' on the covering wrappers (Regulation 1(a)). Furthermore, sealed packets containing these notes may be sent through the post without inspection (Regulation 1(b)). Regulation 7 is amended to allow the transmission of these sealed packets without the usual inspection, provided they meet the specified criteria (Regulation 1(c)).
The amended Regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on the parties involved in the transmission of Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes. Banks and the Commonwealth Treasury must ensure that the notes are sent in sealed packets clearly marked as containing 'Australian Notes only' (Regulation 1(a)). The post office and other postal services are required to handle these sealed packets in accordance with the new provisions, allowing them to be sent without inspection under the specified conditions (Regulations 1(b) and 1(c)). The Regulations ensure that the integrity and security of the transmission process for these sensitive financial documents are maintained.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the amended Regulations could lead to civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, breaches of postal regulations typically result in fines and potential legal action. The exact penalties would be determined by the relevant authorities and could include both administrative and legal sanctions. It is important for all parties involved in the transmission of Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes to adhere strictly to the terms set out in the Regulations to avoid any legal repercussions.