STATUTORY RULES.
1909. No. 69.
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:—
General Regulations.
Holiday Arrangements,
Postal Regulations.
Packets. –Within the Commonwealth and to British New Guinea, New Zealand, and Fiji,
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this twenty-first day of June, One thousand nine hundred and nine.
DUDLEY,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
JOHN QUICK.
———
General Regulations.
Holiday Arrangements.
Regulation 3 under this head (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 98) is amended by omitting from their respective columns the following words: —
“The iron pillar receivers and letter boxes in the city and metropolitan suburbs to be cleared | Only at the ordinary hours in the morning | As on ordinary days.” |
and by inserting in lieu thereof the following words :—
“The iron pillar receivers and letter boxes in the capital cities and suburbs will be cleared | Only at the ordinary hours in the morning, or alternatively in the evening, as may be arranged | As on ordinary days.” |
Postal Regulations.
Packets.
WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH AND TO BRITISH NEW GUINEA, NEW ZEALAND, AND FIJI.
Terms and conditions under which, packets may be transmitted within the Commonwealth.
C.8416.—Price 3d.
Regulation 3 under this head (Gazette No. 26, of 5th June, 1902, page 239) is amended by inserting after the second paragraph thereof the following words: —
“Such articles as scissors, knives, razors, forks, steel pens, nails, keys, watch machinery, metal tubing, pieces of metal or ore, must be packed and guarded in so secure a manner as to afford complete protection to the contents of the mails, and to the officers of the Post Office.
Explosives shall not be transmitted.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by J. Kemp, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1909, No. 69, the Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, were enacted by the Governor-General in Council on account of the urgency of the matter. The legislation aims to amend existing regulations to address gaps in the delivery and handling of mail, particularly concerning the timing of mail collection and the secure packaging of hazardous items within the Commonwealth and to British New Guinea, New Zealand, and Fiji. These provisional regulations were introduced to ensure that the postal service could operate efficiently and safely, with a focus on protecting the integrity of the mail and the safety of postal workers.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, certified by the Governor-General, establish immediate operational amendments to existing regulations governing postal services within the Commonwealth of Australia, extending also to British New Guinea, New Zealand, and Fiji. These regulations primarily concern the timing of mail collection from iron pillar receivers and letter boxes, allowing for evening collections in addition to the usual morning collections in capital cities and their suburbs. Furthermore, the regulations stipulate specific conditions for the transmission of packets, including the prohibition of transmitting explosive materials and the requirement for secure packing of items such as scissors, knives, and metal objects to safeguard the integrity of the mail and postal officers. These amendments are made to address operational adjustments and safety measures, thereby ensuring efficient and secure postal services across the specified jurisdictions.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 focus on holiday arrangements for mail services and the transmission of parcels within the Commonwealth and to certain territories. Regulation 3 concerning holiday arrangements modifies the hours during which iron pillar receivers and letter boxes in capital cities and their suburbs are cleared, allowing for evening clearance in addition to the usual morning clearance (Reg. 3). Regarding the transmission of packets, new provisions are introduced to ensure the safe handling of certain items such as scissors, knives, razors, and explosives. These items must be securely packed to prevent damage and to ensure the safety of postal staff (Reg. 3). Explosives are explicitly prohibited from being transmitted through the mail.
The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties involved primarily concern the secure handling and timely delivery of mail and parcels. Postal workers are required to adhere to the stipulated clearance hours, allowing for both morning and evening collections where necessary (Reg. 3). Furthermore, senders must ensure that dangerous items are packed securely and that no prohibited items such as explosives are included in their mail (Reg. 3). These obligations are crucial to maintaining the safety and efficiency of postal services.
Any breach of these regulations may result in various consequences, including fines and potential imprisonment. For instance, the transmission of prohibited items such as explosives could lead to criminal charges, with offenders facing significant penalties as determined by relevant legislation. Additionally, failure to comply with the secure packing requirements for dangerous goods could result in civil liabilities for any damage or injury caused. The exact penalties are not specified in the provided text but would typically be detailed in the main Act or other subsidiary legislation.