STATUTORY RULES.
1910. No. 109.
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, viz.:—
Postal Regulations.
Parcels Post—Prohibited Articles— Opening of Parcels and Examination of Contents,
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulations to come into operation forthwith as provisional Regulations.
Dated this 18th day of November, One thousand nine hundred and ten.
(Signed) DUDLEY,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
JOSIAH THOMAS.
Postal Regulations.
Parcels Post—Prohibited Articles.
Regulation 1 under this head (Statutory Rules 1908, No. 111) is amended by inserting after the words “Other than,” in the third line, the following words:—
“Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury, or from one Bank to another, in sealed parcels bearing upon the covering wrappers the words ‘Australian Notes only.’ ”
Opening of Parcels and Examination of Contents.
The Regulation under this head (Gazette No. 26 of 5th June, 1902, page 250) is amended by inserting after the word “Parcels” in the first line the words “(Other than parcels containing Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury, or from one Bank to another, in sealed parcels 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.
C.17427.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1910, No. 109, are provisional regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, introduced to address specific operational requirements concerning the handling of Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes. Enacted by the Governor-General, the regulations were made with the advice of the Federal Executive Council due to their urgency. The policy objective behind these regulations was to ensure the secure and proper handling of Australian Notes within the postal system, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring they are only opened under specific circumstances, such as those involving the Commonwealth Treasury or banks. These amendments aimed to safeguard the integrity and security of financial transactions conducted through the postal service.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 pertain to the control and management of parcels post services within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to all persons and entities engaged in the transmission of parcels via postal services, with a particular focus on the handling of prohibited articles and the examination of parcel contents. The amended regulations specifically address Australian (Commonwealth Government) Notes, prohibiting their general handling and mandating special sealed parcels for their transportation between the Commonwealth Treasury and banks, or directly between banks, bearing the label "Australian Notes only." These regulations are applicable nationwide, reflecting the Commonwealth's jurisdiction over postal services. While the regulations provide for specific exclusions and special conditions for Australian Government Notes, they extend their application through subordinate instruments to ensure compliance with the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 focus on two key areas: prohibited articles in parcels post (Regulation 1) and the conditions under which parcels can be opened and their contents examined (Regulation 2). Regulation 1 specifies that Australian Commonwealth Government Notes sent from or to the Commonwealth Treasury, or from one bank to another, in sealed parcels bearing the words “Australian Notes only,” are exempt from the list of prohibited articles (Regulation 1, Statutory Rules 1908, No. 111). Regulation 2, on the other hand, provides that parcels containing Australian Commonwealth Government Notes sent in the aforementioned manner are exempt from being opened or having their contents examined, as stipulated in the original regulation (Regulation 2, Gazette No. 26 of 5th June, 1902, page 250).
The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations primarily serve to safeguard the integrity and security of financial transactions involving Australian Commonwealth Government Notes. For example, the regulations mandate that any parcels containing these notes must be clearly marked as such, and these parcels are exempt from general postal inspection protocols. This ensures that sensitive financial instruments are not subjected to unnecessary scrutiny and maintain their integrity during transit. Additionally, the regulations require that these parcels be handled with the same level of care as other parcels, but with the understanding that their contents are highly sensitive.
In terms of the consequences for breach of these regulations, the statutory rules do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences within the text provided. However, it can be inferred that any failure to comply with these regulations could potentially lead to legal repercussions under the broader framework of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901. The Act itself might impose penalties for non-compliance, which could include fines or other sanctions, though the exact penalties would be determined by the courts or relevant authorities based on the specifics of the breach.