Meteorological Regulations 1913

Overview

The Meteorological Regulations 1913 were enacted to provide a comprehensive framework for the sale and distribution of meteorological publications produced by the Bureau of Meteorology under the Meteorology Act 1906. These regulations were introduced by the Parliament of Australia to ensure the orderly distribution of vital weather-related data and information to the public and various institutions. The policy objective behind these regulations was to make meteorological data accessible to a wide audience, including government departments, educational institutions, and the general public, thereby fostering better preparedness and response to weather-related events. These regulations effectively replaced all previous regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, except in cases where rights or obligations had already been established.

Scope and Application

The Meteorological Regulations 1913, made under the Meteorology Act 1906, apply to publications issued by the Meteorological Bureau. These regulations govern the sale and distribution of meteorological publications, setting forth specific prices for various publications and subscriptions, while many others are listed at a flat rate of sixpence per copy or one shilling per map. The regulations also allow for the free distribution of these publications to public institutions, government departments, corporations, and approved persons if certain conditions are met, such as public display, educational use, reciprocal services, or advertising the Commonwealth's resources. Additionally, official meteorological institutions and similar entities worldwide can receive these publications free of charge. The regulations replace all previous regulations made under the Meteorology Act 1906, except where rights, privileges, obligations, or liabilities have already been established.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Meteorological Regulations 1913 outline the specific meteorological publications that may be sold by the Meteorological Bureau (section 2). These include various maps, reports, and bulletins, which are listed with their corresponding prices. For instance, the Annual Rain Map is priced at 1 shilling per copy, while the Australian Monthly Weather Report and Meteorological Abstract costs 6 pence per copy or 5 shillings per annum (section 2(1)). Subscriptions for these publications are to be paid in advance (section 2(2)). Additionally, other unspecified bulletins and pamphlets are to be sold at 6 pence per copy, and maps at 1 shilling per copy (section 2(3)). These Regulations impose several obligations on the entities involved. Firstly, they mandate that any of the listed publications may be distributed free or at cost price to public institutions, government departments, corporations, and approved individuals under certain conditions (section 3(1)). These conditions include the public display of the publications, their use for educational purposes, reciprocal services to the Meteorological Bureau, or advertising the resources of the Commonwealth. Furthermore, the Regulations allow for the free distribution of these publications to official meteorological institutions and other related institutions worldwide (section 3(2)). The Regulations also include provisions regarding the repeal of previous regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, except in cases where rights, privileges, obligations, or liabilities have already been acquired, accrued, or incurred (section 4). This ensures that any existing agreements or legal responsibilities remain valid despite the changes introduced by these new Regulations. Regarding consequences for breach, the Regulations do not explicitly state offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, any breach of the terms and conditions under which publications are distributed could potentially lead to administrative or legal action under the broader framework of the Meteorology Act 1906. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature of the breach and would be determined in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations in force at the time.