STATUTORY RULES.
1913. No. 149.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1902-1911.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1911 to come into operation forthwith. Such Regulation shall supersede the Provisional Regulation (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 63) under the said Act, made on the 27th day of February, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen,
Dated the 30th day of May, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
FRANK G. TUDOR,
For the Prime Minister.
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Regulation 166 made under the provisions of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 is repealed, and a new Regulation in the following terms is made in lieu thereof:—
166. Where any telegraphist is required by the Chief Officer to use a typewriter, and to provide the machine and accessories, an allowance at the rate of ten shillings per month shall be paid the telegraphist, subject to the following conditions:—
(a) That the telegraphist is capable of satisfactorily receiving telegraph messages by sound, and typing as received, at the rate of at least thirty words per minute for ten consecutive minutes.
(b) That the typewriter is of a pattern approved by the Chief Officer, gives satisfactory service, and is used regularly by the telegraphist when receiving,
(c) That the allowance shall cease for any period when the typewriter is not in use, and shall also cease if the telegraphist be transferred to another position where, in the opinion of the Chief Officer, the typewriter is not required.
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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.
C.6751—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1913, No. 149, under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1911, were enacted to address the specific requirements and allowances for telegraphists within the public service. This legislative instrument, issued by the Governor-General in Council, supersedes the earlier Provisional Regulation (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 63). The intent behind these regulations is to ensure that telegraphists who are required to use typewriters and provide their own equipment receive appropriate compensation. This allowance is contingent on their capability to accurately receive and type telegraph messages at a specified rate and the condition of the typewriter used. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain efficient communication services within the public sector by providing necessary allowances to skilled telegraphists.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1913, No. 149, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1911, specifically pertain to the allowances for telegraphists who are required to use typewriters in the course of their duties. This legislation applies to telegraphists who are mandated by the Chief Officer to use a typewriter, providing the machine and accessories, and who meet certain performance criteria. The allowance of ten shillings per month is subject to conditions that include the telegraphist's capability to accurately receive and type telegraph messages at a specified speed, the approval of the typewriter's pattern by the Chief Officer, and the consistent use of the typewriter during service. The allowance ceases if the typewriter is not in use or if the telegraphist is transferred to a position where a typewriter is not deemed necessary by the Chief Officer. This regulation supersedes previous provisions and applies nationally as a Commonwealth legislative instrument, impacting the terms and conditions of employment for telegraphists within the public service.
Key Provisions
The key provision of Regulation 166 under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1911 pertains to the allowance provided to telegraphists who are required by the Chief Officer to use a typewriter and provide the machine and accessories (Reg. 166(1)). The allowance is set at ten shillings per month, contingent upon meeting several specific conditions (Reg. 166(1)(a)-(c)). Firstly, the telegraphist must be capable of receiving telegraph messages by sound and typing them at a rate of at least thirty words per minute for ten consecutive minutes. Secondly, the typewriter must be of a pattern approved by the Chief Officer, perform satisfactorily, and be used regularly by the telegraphist when receiving messages. Lastly, the allowance will cease if the typewriter is not in use or if the telegraphist is transferred to a position where the typewriter is deemed unnecessary by the Chief Officer.
Under this Act, the Chief Officer has the responsibility to ensure that the specified conditions for the allowance are met by the telegraphists. This includes verifying the capability of telegraphists to type at the required speed and quality, approving the typewriters used, and deciding when the allowance should cease based on operational needs or transfers (Reg. 166(1)(a)-(c)). Additionally, the Chief Officer must oversee the regular use of the typewriters by the telegraphists, ensuring that they meet the operational standards set forth in the regulation.
Failure to comply with the conditions outlined in Regulation 166 could lead to the cessation of the allowance for the telegraphist. The Chief Officer holds the authority to determine when the allowance should be discontinued, which could occur if the typewriter is not in use or if the telegraphist’s position no longer requires the use of a typewriter (Reg. 166(1)(c)). Although there are no explicit penalties mentioned in the regulation, the cessation of the allowance serves as a direct consequence for non-compliance with the specified conditions.