STATUTORY RULES.
1917. No. 68.
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REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901–1916.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-first day of March, One thousand nine hundred and seventeen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General,
By His Excellency’s Command,
WILLIAM WEBSTER,
Postmaster-General.
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Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as amended by Statutory Rules 1916, No. 157).
Sub-Regulation (1) of Regulation 378 is repealed, and the following sub-Regulation is inserted in its stead;—
Transaction of Business after Usual Office Hours.
378. (1) Arrangements may be made to keep any official or semi-official office open for the transmission or receipt of telegrams after the ordinary business hours, upon notice being given to the officer in charge at least one hour before the ordinary time of closing, and upon payment of a fee of Two shillings and sixpence for the first hour, or portion thereof, and One shilling and sixpence for every subsequent hour, or portion thereof, during which it is desired the office shall be kept open. If more than one office is so kept open, these fees shall be payable in respect of each office. All telegrams transmitted must be paid for at the usual rates.
Provided that the proprietor of a newspaper shall not be called upon to pay any fee for keeping a telegraph office open on any Sunday, or public holiday, in cases where the telegraphic business of such newspaper on that day amounts to One pound ten shillings in value, and where the opening of only one office is required:
Provided further that in cases where the value of the telegraphic business of a newspaper on any Sunday or public holiday would, if combined with the fee charged for keeping a telegraph office open, exceed One pound ten shillings, only such portion of the fee shall be charged as will bring the value of the telegraphic business and the fee combined up to One pound ten shillings. If the opening of more than one office is required, the fees prescribed by this Regulation shall be paid in respect of each additional office.
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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.2879.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1917 No. 68, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, amend the existing Post and Telegraph Regulations to allow for the opening of official or semi-official offices for the transmission or receipt of telegrams beyond the ordinary business hours. This regulation was enacted by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and came into effect immediately upon its promulgation on the 21st of March 1917. The objective of these amendments is to provide flexibility in the operation of telegraph offices, particularly in accommodating the needs of newspapers by exempting them from fees under certain conditions on Sundays and public holidays. The changes address a practical gap in service availability while ensuring that the Postmaster-General can manage the financial aspects of extended office hours through the imposition of specific fees.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1917, as amended, govern the transaction of business involving telegrams outside of regular office hours under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916. This regulation applies to any official or semi-official office that wishes to remain open for telegram transmission or receipt beyond the usual business hours. The regulation mandates that such offices must notify the officer in charge at least one hour before the scheduled closing time and pay a fee for each additional hour of operation. The fee structure is set at two shillings and sixpence for the initial hour or fraction thereof, and one shilling and sixpence for every subsequent hour or fraction. Notably, proprietors of newspapers are exempt from paying these fees on Sundays or public holidays if the value of their telegraphic business on such days reaches one pound ten shillings, provided only one office is opened. If more than one office is required, the usual fees apply for each additional office. This regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a standardised approach to extended telegraphic services nationwide.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this legislative instrument, Regulation 378 under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, detail the procedures and fees for keeping official or semi-official offices open for the transmission or receipt of telegrams outside of ordinary business hours (378(1)). This amendment allows for the opening of such offices with notice given at least one hour prior to the usual closing time, and requires the payment of specific fees for the extended hours of operation. The regulation also specifies that all telegrams must be paid for at the usual rates, and provides exceptions for newspaper proprietors regarding fees on Sundays or public holidays, based on the value of their telegraphic business.
The obligations imposed by this Act include the requirement for those wishing to keep an office open for telegram services outside of regular hours to notify the officer in charge at least one hour before the closing time and to pay the prescribed fees. Specifically, a fee of Two shillings and sixpence is charged for the first hour, or part thereof, and One shilling and sixpence for every subsequent hour. The regulation further stipulates that all telegrams must be paid for at the standard rates, regardless of the time of transmission. There are also special provisions for newspaper proprietors, exempting them from paying fees if their telegraphic business exceeds One pound ten shillings on Sundays or public holidays, provided that only one office needs to be opened.
In terms of offences, penalties, or consequences for breach, the Act does not explicitly outline specific criminal or civil penalties for failing to comply with the regulation. However, the failure to adhere to the specified procedures and fee payments could result in the refusal of service for telegram transmission or receipt outside of the usual office hours. The Act emphasises the importance of compliance with the financial and procedural requirements to ensure the smooth operation of telegram services during extended hours.