Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1911, No. 203, specifically the Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, was introduced by the Governor-General in Council to amend the Postal Regulations concerning the transportation of printed papers within Australia and to certain specified territories. This legislative instrument was enacted due to the need for urgent amendments to the existing regulations, particularly those related to the handling and classification of printed materials such as postcards. The objective of this regulation is to streamline the process by allowing certain cards to pass as printed papers if they comply with the relevant regulations and contain only the necessary address details. The regulation aims to ensure clarity and efficiency in the postal services while maintaining the integrity of the regulatory framework.

Scope and Application

The Postal Regulations, as amended by the Statutory Rules 1911, No. 203, apply to the delivery and transportation of postal packets within the Commonwealth of Australia and to certain specified destinations, including British New Guinea, New Zealand, and Fiji. This Provisional Regulation was enacted to address urgent matters concerning the classification and transmission of printed papers, specifically focusing on postcards that are to be permitted as printed papers provided they meet the stipulated conditions. The regulation applies to individuals and entities involved in the mailing and handling of these items, ensuring compliance with the newly defined criteria. The geographic scope of these regulations is comprehensive, encompassing the national territory of Australia and extending to the listed international locations. The regulation also includes provisions for exclusions and exemptions, particularly clarifying the conditions under which postcards can be classified as printed papers, thereby affecting the conduct and transactions of postal service providers and users within this jurisdiction. The application of these regulations is enforced through subordinate instruments, which may further specify operational details or address additional contingencies not covered in the primary text.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislative instrument focus on the regulations concerning postal services and specifically the treatment of cards within the Commonwealth and to British New Guinea, New Zealand, and Fiji. Section 4 (1) of the amended Postal Regulations now allows cards that bear the inscription 'Post Card' to be permitted as Printed Papers, provided they conform to the relevant regulations and contain only the sender's name and address. This replaces the previous Regulation 4 under the sub-head 'Printed Papers' which had been repealed (Section 4 (2)). The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, any individual or entity wishing to send cards as Printed Papers must ensure that the cards bear the inscription 'Post Card' and comply with the regulations governing Printed Papers (Section 4 (1)). Additionally, these cards must only contain the sender's name and address without any other writing, as mandated by the same provision (Section 4 (1)). This ensures that the cards are treated in the same manner as other Printed Papers under the Postal Regulations. Failure to comply with the new regulations can result in various consequences. While the document does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences, it is implied that non-compliance with the stipulated conditions for cards to be considered Printed Papers could lead to them being treated differently, potentially incurring additional costs or being subject to different handling protocols. The maximum penalties for breaches are not detailed in the text but could be inferred from the broader context of postal regulations and potential administrative actions taken by the postal authority.