Meteorological Regulations 1915 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 177, represents a set of Regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, enacted to modify the pricing structure for various meteorological publications. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for updated pricing that better reflected the production and distribution costs of these publications, as well as to ensure equitable access to essential weather information. The enacting body for these regulations was the Deputy of the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The overarching policy objective of these amendments was to facilitate the dissemination of accurate and timely weather data by adjusting the financial barriers associated with accessing these resources, thereby supporting both public and private sector activities reliant on weather information.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, as amended by Statutory Rules 1920, No. 177, govern the pricing of specific meteorological publications provided by the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to the sale and distribution of documents such as the Australian Monthly Weather Report and Meteorological Abstract, the Daily Rain Map, the Daily Weather Bulletins (both Inter-State and State versions), and the Daily Weather Chart of Australasia, as well as the Monthly Rain Map. The pricing structure outlined in these regulations is designed to offer both individual copies and annual subscriptions, with varying prices depending on the type of publication and whether the purchaser opts for individual copies or an annual subscription. The geographic scope of these regulations is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and they extend to any entity or person involved in the sale or distribution of the specified meteorological publications within the country. While these regulations do not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, they implicitly apply to all entities and individuals engaged in the commercial distribution of the listed publications. Furthermore, the regulations may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments, which could provide additional guidance or specific applications not covered in the primary text.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1920, No. 177, which amends the Regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, primarily concern the prices of various meteorological publications. According to regulation 2(1), the prices for these publications are set at specific rates per copy or per annum, with some rates including free postage and others requiring additional postage charges. For example, the Australian Monthly Weather Report and Meteorological Abstract is available for 6d per copy or 5s per annum with free postage, while the Daily Rain Map is priced at 2s per copy or £4 per annum with postage to be added. The Daily Weather Bulletin (Inter-State), Daily Weather Bulletin (State), and Daily Weather Chart of Australasia all share similar pricing structures, with 2s per copy or £5 per annum, and 2s per copy or £4 per annum respectively, all with postage free. The Monthly Rain Map is priced at 2s per copy or £1 1s per annum, with postage to be added. The Regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on the entities responsible for the publication and distribution of these meteorological reports and maps. Publishers must adhere to the stipulated prices as outlined in regulation 2(1), ensuring consistency and transparency in their pricing structures. Furthermore, the requirement for postage details, whether free or to be added, ensures that consumers are clearly informed of any additional costs involved in receiving these publications. By setting these prices and conditions, the Regulations aim to standardise the dissemination of meteorological information, making it accessible and affordable to the public. Breaches of these Regulations could potentially lead to various consequences, though the specific penalties are not detailed within the statutory rules. Non-compliance with the set prices or failure to accurately disclose postage information could result in legal ramifications. Given the context of statutory regulation, such breaches might attract fines or other penalties as prescribed under the Meteorology Act 1906 or related legislative instruments. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would depend on the interpretation and enforcement by relevant authorities, but they are likely intended to ensure adherence to the stipulated terms for the orderly distribution of meteorological data.