POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES.

No. 12 of 1951.

An Act to amend the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1950.

[Assented to 7th July, 1951.]

BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1951.

(2.) The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1950, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1951.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the ninth day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-one.

First and Second Schedules.

3. The First and Second Schedules to the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1950 are repealed and the following Schedules inserted in their stead:—

“FIRST SCHEDULE.

Part I.

Newspapers and periodicals registered at a General Post Office posted by—	Twopence half-penny per eight ounces or part of eight ounces on the aggregate weight of newspapers or periodicals posted by any one person at any one time
(a) the proprietors thereof to bona fide subscribers, and to newsvendors and agents for the purpose of sale; and
(b) newsvendors and agents to bona fide subscribers, and to other newsvendors and agents for the purpose of sale,
without condition as to the number contained in each addressed wrapper

Part II.

Letters and Letter Cards............................	Threepence half-penny for the first ounce or part of an ounce, and Twopence half-penny for each additional ounce or part of an ounce
Post Cards....................................	Threepence each
Second Class Mail Matter—
(a) Commercial papers, patterns, samples and merchandise, as prescribed	Threepence for the first two ounces or part of two ounces, and Twopence for each additional two ounces or part of two ounces
(b) Printed matter (including printed papers, circulars and catalogues, and books, periodicals and newspapers not registered at a General Post Office), as prescribed	Threepence for the first four ounces or part of four ounces, and Twopence for each additional four ounces or part of four ounces
Third Class Mail Matter (comprising books registered at a General Post Office and periodicals and newspapers registered at a General Post Office posted otherwise than as specified in Part I. of this Schedule), as prescribed	Twopence half-penny for the first six ounces or part of six ounces and Twopence for each additional six ounces or part of six ounces
Hansard, that is, reports of Parliamentary debates printed and published by the authority of the Commonwealth or of a State	Twopence per twelve ounces or part of twelve ounces

“SECOND SCHEDULE.

Part I.—Ordinary Telegrams.

—	Between offices which are not more than fifteen miles apart.	Between offices which are more than fifteen miles apart.
Including address and signature—
Not exceeding twelve words..................	Two shillings and threepence	Two shillings and sixpence
For each additional word....................	Twopence .....	Twopence

Double the foregoing rates shall be charged for the transmission of—

(a) urgent telegrams; and

(b) telegrams on the public service when required, under section ninety-five of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1950, to be transmitted before other telegrams.

The rates specified in this Part are exclusive of porterage charges.

Part II.—Press Telegrams, as Prescribed.

(a) Telegrams (accepted for transmission subject to the prescribed conditions) relating to Parliamentary, Executive, Departmental and otter Commonwealth Proceedings as prescribed—

Including address and signature—

Not exceeding twenty-four words—One shilling and threepence

For each additional word, One half-penny

(b) Other telegrams, accepted for transmission subject to the prescribed conditions—

—	Between offices which are in the same State.	Between offices which are not in the same State.
Including address and signature—
Not exceeding twenty-four words...........	One shilling and threepence	Two shillings and sixpence
For each additional word.................	One half-penny	One penny

The rates specified in this Part are exclusive of porterage charges.

Part III.—Broadcasting Telegrams, as Prescribed.

Telegrams, accepted for transmission subject to the prescribed conditions—the same rates as are specified in Part II. of this Schedule.

Part IV.—Letter Telegrams, as Prescribed.

Telegrams, accepted for transmission subject to the prescribed conditions—including address and signature, Two shillings for the first twenty-four words and One penny for each additional word.

Part V.—Shipping Telegrams.

Telegrams relating to the movements of shipping, sent by officers of the Commonwealth Navigation and Lighthouse Services, for the purpose of being posted up at telegraph offices—the same rates as are specified in paragraph (b) of Part II. of this Schedule.

Part VI.—Meteorological Telegrams.

Telegrams transmitted to or from Commonwealth meteorological offices or stations—free.”.