STATUTORY RULES.
1949. No. .
REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1941-1946.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1946.
Dated this Twenty-Second day of April, 1949.
W. J. McKell
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Postmaster-General
Amendments of the Picturegram Regulations. †
Definitions.
1. Regulation 3 of the Picturegram Regulations is amended by omitting the definitions of “‘A’ grade quality” and “‘B’ grade quality”.
Matter which may be accepted for transmission as picturegrams.
2. Regulation 6 of the Picturegram Regulations is amended—
(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (6) all the words from and including the words “Pictures or documents” (second occurring) to the end of the sub-regulation;
(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (8) the figures and words “18 inches by 12 inches” and inserting in their stead the figures and words “10 inches by 8 inches”; and
(c) by omitting sub-regulations (12) and (13).
Address of picturegrams.
3. Regulation 9 of the Picturegram Regulations is amended—
(a) by inserting in sub-regulation (2), before the word “up”, the words “‘Post or Airmail from ’”; and
(b) by inserting after sub-regulation (5) the following sub-regulation:—
“(6) A picturegram may be lodged for transmission to a picturegram office for onward despatch by post or airmail to an addressee in a locality where picturegram facilities are not provided and in any such case no charge shall be made for postage or airmail fees.”.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1949.
† Statutory Rules 1929, No. 80.
665.—Price 3d. 8/18.3.1949.
4. Regulation 15 of the Picturegram Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—
Schedules of Rates.
“15. The rates for the transmission of picturegrams shall be as follows:—
| “(A) RATES FOR TRANSMISSION. |
| Size of picture to be transmitted. | Rate per picture. |
(i) | Within the limits of 5 inches by 4 inches................. | Thirty shillings. |
(ii) | Exceeding the limits of 5 inches by 4 inches but not exceeding the limits of 7 inches by 5 inches | Thirty-seven shillings and sixpence. |
(iii) | Exceeding the limits of 7 inches by 5 inches but not exceeding the limits of 9 inches by 7 inches | Forty-seven shillings and sixpence. |
(iv) | Exceeding the limits of 9 inches by 7 inches but not exceeding the limits of 10 inches by 8 inches | Fifty-five shillings. |
(B) MULTIPLE CHARGES. |
Multiple picturegrams: For each copy after the first.............. | Five shillings.”. |
Cancellation of picturegrams.
5. Regulation 16 of the Picturegram Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (5) the words “the service” and inserting in their stead the words “his picturegram”.
By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1946 was enacted to regulate the postal and telegraph services in Australia. The Act aimed to provide a framework for the efficient and effective delivery of postal and telegraph services across the country, ensuring that these services were accessible and reliable. In 1949, regulations were introduced under this Act to amend the Picturegram Regulations, primarily to address issues related to the transmission of picturegrams, including their size, rates, and methods of transmission. These regulations were made by the Governor-General in Council, following the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The policy objective behind these amendments was to update and streamline the process of sending picturegrams, making it more efficient and accessible to the public.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1946, dated April 22, 1949, pertain to the amendments of the Picturegram Regulations. These regulations apply to individuals and entities engaged in the transmission of picturegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting the services provided by the postal and telegraph authorities. The amendments outlined in these regulations redefine the criteria for acceptable picturegram content, modify the dimensions and size limits of picturegrams that can be transmitted, and alter the address specifications for such transmissions. Additionally, the regulations update the rates for picturegram transmission, reflecting the cost structure for various sizes and multiple transmissions. Notably, the regulations allow for the transmission of picturegrams to areas where picturegram facilities are not available, waiving postal and airmail fees for such cases. These regulations, while focusing on the operational aspects of picturegram services, do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that they apply broadly to all compliant transmissions within the scope of the Post and Telegraph Act.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1946, specifically amending the Picturegram Regulations, introduce several key provisions. Firstly, section 1 amends Regulation 3 by removing the definitions of ‘A’ grade quality and ‘B’ grade quality, thereby eliminating the previous quality classifications for picturegrams (section 1). Secondly, section 2 modifies Regulation 6, omitting specific references to picture sizes and certain sub-regulations, and adjusting the permissible size for picturegrams from 18 inches by 12 inches to 10 inches by 8 inches (section 2). Thirdly, section 3 updates Regulation 9 to allow picturegrams to be sent via post or airmail to locations without picturegram facilities, with no additional postage or airmail fees (section 3). Fourthly, section 4 repeals Regulation 15 and replaces it with a new schedule of rates for picturegram transmission, with different rates based on picture size, and a multiple charge for each additional copy (section 4). Lastly, section 5 amends Regulation 16 to clarify that cancellation of a picturegram applies to the individual’s picturegram, rather than the service (section 5).
The Regulations impose specific obligations on entities and individuals involved in the transmission of picturegrams. They must adhere to the new size limits for acceptable picturegrams, as outlined in the amended Regulation 6, and ensure that picturegrams are sent within these dimensions (section 2). Additionally, entities and individuals must follow the new rates schedule provided in Regulation 15, ensuring appropriate charges are applied based on the size of the picturegram and any multiple charges for additional copies (section 4). Furthermore, they are required to comply with the updated address and transmission procedures specified in Regulation 9, including the option to send picturegrams via post or airmail to locations without picturegram facilities (section 3).
Breaches of these Regulations may result in various civil and criminal consequences. While the text does not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance, violations of regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1946 could potentially incur fines or other sanctions as prescribed by relevant Australian laws. Specifically, under the general provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act, penalties for non-compliance can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and nature of the breach. However, the exact penalties for these specific amendments are not explicitly stated in the provided text.