Picturegram Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1973 No. 190, enacted under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1971, serves to amend existing regulations concerning the transmission of picturegrams. These Regulations were made by the Governor-General of Australia, Paul Hasluck, on the advice of the Executive Council and the Postmaster-General, Lionel Bowen. The primary purpose of these amendments is to modernise the specifications for the size and density of picturegrams that can be transmitted, as well as to update the associated rates. The new dimensions and density specifications are provided in metric measurements, reflecting a shift towards international standards, while the rates have been updated to reflect current economic conditions. These changes aim to streamline the process of sending picturegrams and ensure the regulations remain relevant and effective.

Scope and Application

The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1973, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1971, are designed to govern the acceptance and transmission of picturegrams within Australia. These regulations apply to all persons and entities involved in the transmission of picturegrams, including businesses and individuals using postal services for sending such items. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia. The regulations provide specific amendments to the Picturegram Regulations, primarily concerning the acceptable dimensions and resolution of picturegrams. Notably, they convert the previously used imperial measurements to metric measurements and adjust the allowable dimensions and resolution for picturegrams. These amendments reflect a modernisation of standards for picturegram transmission, ensuring that the regulations keep pace with technological changes. The regulations also establish a schedule of rates for transmitting picturegrams of varying sizes, reflecting the updated dimensional standards. The scope of these regulations is explicitly limited to the technical specifications and rates for picturegram transmission, without extending to broader postal or telegraphic services.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1971, which were issued on 25 September 1973, introduce amendments to the Picturegram Regulations (regulation 2). These amendments update the physical dimensions and density requirements for picturegrams that can be transmitted through the postal service. Specifically, the new regulations set the dimensions to metric measurements, replacing the previous imperial measurements (regulation 2(a) and (b)). Additionally, the new regulations modify the permissible character density, changing from 18 per linear inch or 160 letters per square inch to 7 per linear centimetre or 42 letters per square centimetre (regulation 2(c)). These regulations impose obligations on parties sending picturegrams through the postal service to ensure that their picturegrams comply with the new dimensional and density standards. Any party failing to adhere to these standards risks having their picturegrams rejected by the postal service, potentially causing delays or additional costs if the picturegrams need to be resubmitted in compliance. The new regulations also mandate that the rates for transmitting picturegrams be adjusted to reflect the changes in permissible dimensions and associated costs (regulation 3). Any breaches of these regulations may result in penalties or other consequences. For example, if a party repeatedly sends non-compliant picturegrams, they may face fines or other sanctions under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1971. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in these regulations, they could include financial penalties or other administrative actions as determined by the relevant authorities. The maximum penalties would depend on the severity and frequency of the breach and could be prescribed under the overarching Act or other related legislation.