STATUTORY RULES.
1911. No. 64.
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:—
Money Orders—Telephone Regulations.
Part XIX.—Miscellaneous—Transaction of Business after usual Office Hours.
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this fifteenth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and eleven.
DUDLEY,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
JOSIAH THOMAS.
Money Orders.
Regulation 3 under this head (Statutory Rules 1907, No. 57, as amended by Statutory Rules 1910, No. 102) is amended by omitting the figure and letters “1 p.m.” in the last paragraph, and inserting in their stead the word “noon.”
Telephone Regulations.
Part XIX.—Miscellaneous.
transaction of business after usual office hours.
Regulation 126 under this head (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 114) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph;—
“Similar arrangements may be made at allowance post offices, in cases where the Postmasters are willing to give the necessary attendance, on payment of a fee not exceeding 1s. for each thirty minutes or portion thereof, during which it is desired the office shall be kept open, in addition to the ordinary Departmental charges for the transmission of telephone messages.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by J. Kemp, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.5461.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1911, No. 64, titled "Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901," were enacted in 1911 to address urgent amendments to the existing regulations governing money orders and telephone services. These provisional regulations were introduced by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, in response to the immediate need for changes that could not wait for the standard legislative process. The primary objective was to swiftly implement necessary adjustments to the regulatory framework to ensure the efficient operation of postal and telegraph services.
These regulations were intended to correct a specific issue regarding the timing for issuing money orders, as well as to introduce new provisions for extending business hours for telephone services at certain post offices, contingent on the willingness of postmasters and payment of additional fees. This legislative instrument reflects the early efforts to adapt and refine the administrative mechanisms governing communication services in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as enacted in Statutory Rules 1911, No. 64, pertain to the administration of money orders and telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to individuals and entities engaged in postal and telecommunications services, including but not limited to postmasters and telephone operators. The scope of these regulations extends to the operational procedures and fees associated with the transaction of business outside the usual office hours, particularly in relation to money orders and telephone communications. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, governing practices across all states and territories of Australia. The regulations amend previous rules to adjust the closing time for money order services and to permit additional charges for extended telephone services at post offices, subject to the postmaster's consent. The amendments reflect a structured approach to managing the operational hours and financial arrangements pertinent to postal and telecommunication services in the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Statutory Rules 1911, No. 64, which are provisional regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, introduce changes to the timing of money orders and the transaction of business outside usual office hours. Regulation 3 concerning money orders amends the statutory rules from 1907, as further amended in 1910, by changing the cut-off time for processing money orders from 1 p.m. to noon (Regulation 3). This change ensures that money orders are processed more promptly, improving the efficiency of financial transactions through the postal service.
In terms of obligations and requirements, these regulations impose specific conditions on the operation of post offices and the postal service. For instance, postmasters at allowance post offices are required to make themselves available to facilitate business transactions outside the usual office hours if they are willing to do so, in return for a fee. This fee is capped at one shilling for every thirty minutes or fraction thereof, in addition to the standard departmental charges for transmitting telephone messages (Regulation 126). This arrangement provides flexibility for customers who need to conduct postal or telephone business outside the regular hours.
There are no explicit provisions detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance within the text of these provisional regulations. However, it is reasonable to infer that failure to adhere to the specified conditions or charges could lead to administrative actions or disputes regarding the fees and services provided. Given the statutory context, any significant breaches might result in further legislative or regulatory action to enforce compliance and protect the interests of both the postal service and its customers.