Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1914, No. 25, titled "Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913," was enacted as a Provisional Regulation under the authority of the Governor General in Council to address an immediate need for the regulation of telegraphic communications within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation was introduced to fill the gap in the existing framework provided by the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, ensuring that communication practices could be managed effectively and efficiently. The policy objective of these regulations was to provide a structured system for the registration and notification of abbreviated telegraphic addresses, thereby facilitating smoother and more organised communication channels across the country. This regulation allowed individuals and firms to register their telegraphic addresses, contributing to better management and accessibility of telegraphic services.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 applies to any person or firm that has paid the prescribed fee for the registration of an abbreviated telegraphic address. This regulation provides a mechanism for these entities to have their abbreviated address notified in the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Guide, subject to the payment of an additional fee. The regulation is issued with urgency and comes into operation immediately, reinforcing the need for swift implementation in the management of telegraphic communications across the Commonwealth. The geographic scope of the regulation is national, as it pertains to the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Guide, which is a publication intended for use throughout Australia. The regulation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the requirement to pay the prescribed fees. The application of this regulation is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may include subsequent amendments or further regulations under the same act.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of this Provisional Regulation, inserted as Regulation 402A, pertains to the registration and notification of abbreviated telegraphic addresses. According to this section (Regulation 402A), any person or firm that has already paid the required fee for the registration of an abbreviated telegraphic address can have this address listed in the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Guide. However, this listing requires the payment of an additional fee of two shillings and sixpence per annum. This provision allows for the convenient and official recognition of abbreviated addresses, facilitating communication through telegraphic means. The Provisional Regulation imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, it requires that any individual or firm that has paid the registration fee must also pay the additional annual fee to have their abbreviated telegraphic address listed in the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Guide. This dual payment structure ensures that the service is both registered and publicly available. Furthermore, by mandating the payment of these fees, the regulation seeks to maintain a formal and systematic process for the management and notification of telegraphic addresses. In terms of enforcement and compliance, the Provisional Regulation does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with its provisions. However, it is reasonable to infer that failure to pay the required fees could result in the non-listing of the abbreviated telegraphic address in the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Guide, thereby potentially affecting communication. While the regulation does not specify criminal or civil penalties, it is likely that non-compliance could be subject to administrative actions or penalties as stipulated under the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 or other relevant laws. The absence of explicit penalties in the regulation itself suggests a reliance on general legal frameworks for enforcement.