STATUTORY RULES.
1919. No. 131.
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 fourth day of June, 1919.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
WILLIAM WEBSTER,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348.)
Regulation 371 is amended by omitting all the words after the word “payment” and inserting the following words in their stead:—
“(a) in the case of electoral telegrams—of the rates prescribed for Commonwealth press telegrams transmitted within the Commonwealth if the telegrams are transmitted from one State to any other State, or the rates prescribed for press telegrams within any State if the telegrams are transmitted within any State, and
(b) in the case of referendum telegrams—of the rates prescribed for Commonwealth press telegrams transmitted within the Commonwealth.”.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett. Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1919, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, were introduced to address the need for adjusting the rates for the transmission of telegrams, specifically electoral and referendum telegrams. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations were designed to update the existing Post and Telegraph Regulations of 1913 to align with the prescribed rates for press telegrams. This amendment ensures that the charges for such telegrams are consistent with the rates for Commonwealth and State press telegrams, depending on the scope of the transmission. The policy objective of these regulations is to provide a clear and updated framework for the pricing of telegrams, ensuring fairness and clarity in the services provided under the Post and Telegraph Act.
Scope and Application
The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1919, No. 131, applies to the transmission of electoral and referendum telegrams within Australia, establishing specific rates for these communications. The scope of this regulation pertains to the transmission of telegrams, including those for electoral and referendum purposes, across state lines or within a single state. The regulation delineates the rates based on whether the telegrams are sent interstate or intrastate, thereby governing the cost structure for these types of telegrams. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, applying across all states within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in the rates charged for such telegrams. The amendment does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all electoral and referendum telegrams are subject to the specified rates. Additionally, the regulation extends its application through subordinate instruments, which would provide further clarification and operational details for the prescribed rates and the transmission process.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the amended regulation are found in Regulation 371, which has been modified to change the rates for transmitting electoral and referendum telegrams. Specifically, Regulation 371 now states that the rates for electoral telegrams depend on whether they are sent within the same state or between states (paragraph 371(a)), while referendum telegrams are subject to the rates for Commonwealth press telegrams transmitted within the Commonwealth (paragraph 371(b)). This amendment directly alters the financial obligations for those sending electoral and referendum telegrams, aligning them with either interstate or intrastate press telegram rates.
The amended regulation imposes clear obligations on parties sending electoral and referendum telegrams. They must now ensure they are charged according to the specified rates, which are based on the geographical scope of the telegram's transmission. For electoral telegrams sent between states, the applicable rate is that of Commonwealth press telegrams within the Commonwealth. For those sent within a single state, the rate for press telegrams within that state applies. Referendum telegrams, irrespective of their destination, are charged at the Commonwealth press telegram rate within the Commonwealth. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency and consistency in the pricing of such communications.
Failure to comply with the amended regulation could potentially lead to disputes over the correct charges for telegrams, which might escalate into legal issues. However, the legislation does not explicitly state any specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. It is assumed that any breaches would be addressed under the broader legal framework of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, which might include administrative actions or legal proceedings to rectify the issue. While the regulation itself does not specify maximum penalties, any legal action taken would be in line with the applicable laws governing postal and telegraph services in Australia at the time.