STATUTORY RULES.
1913. No. 208.
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PROVISIONAL REGULATION 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 under-mentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910, namely:—
Postal Regulations.
Newspapers—General,
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith, as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this eleventh day of July, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
AGAR WYNNE.
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Postal Regulations.
Newspapers—General.
Regulation 5 under this head (Gazette, No. 26, of the 5th June, 1902, page 242, as amended by Statutory Rules 1910, No. 126) is repealed, and the following Regulation is inserted in its stead: —
“Except in the case of newspapers sent to the United Kingdom by the ‘All-sea’ route, two or more newspapers to the same address can be tied together, but the outside newspaper or wrapper must bear on its face or addressed side the full postage for each paper, and the whole should be tied so that the number of papers can be counted. The limit of weight of newspaper packet addressed to places beyond the Commonwealth, excepting these posted by registered newspaper proprietor or by news vendors to New Zealand, is 5 lbs.”
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C9652.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910, enacted in 1913, was introduced to address the urgent need for updated postal regulations concerning the handling of newspapers. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the immediacy and importance of these changes. The primary policy objective of this regulation was to streamline and clarify the processes involved in mailing newspapers, particularly in terms of postage requirements and weight limits for international mailings. This regulation aimed to provide more efficient postal services by allowing multiple newspapers to be sent to the same address, provided the postage is correctly indicated, while also setting a clear limit on the weight of such packets to ensure manageable and cost-effective postal operations.
Scope and Application
The Postal Regulations outlined in Statutory Rules 1913, No. 208, pertain to the regulation of the transmission of newspapers via postal services, applying to any person or entity involved in the mailing of newspapers, including newspaper proprietors and news vendors. These regulations are specifically concerned with the conditions under which multiple newspapers can be sent together, the requirements for postage, and the weight limits of newspaper packets, especially those addressed outside the Commonwealth. The regulations apply nationally across Australia, establishing a uniform standard for the mailing of newspapers. Notably, the regulations exclude newspapers sent to the United Kingdom by the 'All-sea' route from the stipulation that multiple newspapers must be individually marked with postage. This Provisional Regulation, which came into immediate operation due to urgency, supersedes earlier regulations and is intended to ensure efficient and compliant handling of newspaper mailings.
The regulations also provide flexibility through the allowance of subordinate instruments that may extend or modify the application of these rules. Such instruments would be authorised under the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910 and would further define the administrative and operational aspects of the mailing regulations, ensuring they adapt to changes in postal practices and technological advancements. The exclusion of certain routes and the specification of weight limits serve to maintain the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of postal services while ensuring compliance with postal standards.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Postal Regulations. Newspapers—General pertain to how newspapers can be bundled and posted. Regulation 5, as amended, allows two or more newspapers to be tied together and sent to the same address, with the exception of newspapers bound for the United Kingdom via the "All-sea" route (Regulation 5). It is mandatory that the outer newspaper or wrapper displays the full postage for each individual paper, and the bundle must be tied in such a way that the number of papers can be easily counted (Regulation 5). Additionally, there is a weight limit for newspaper packets sent to destinations outside the Commonwealth, which is set at 5 lbs, except for those sent by registered newspaper proprietors or news vendors to New Zealand (Regulation 5).
The obligations imposed by these regulations primarily focus on ensuring transparency and compliance in the mailing of newspapers. Senders must ensure that the full postage is clearly indicated on the outer wrapper and that the newspapers are tied in a manner that allows for easy counting. Furthermore, adherence to the weight limit is crucial, particularly for international mail, to facilitate smooth processing and avoid additional costs or delays.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in civil or administrative consequences. For instance, if the full postage is not indicated or if the newspapers are not tied correctly, the mail may be returned to the sender or delayed in processing. Similarly, exceeding the weight limit can lead to additional charges or refusal of delivery. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance could incur fines or other administrative sanctions as stipulated by postal authorities.