Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations 1933 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1940, No. 156, represent amendments to the Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1936. Enacted in 1940, these regulations were introduced to address the administrative and operational needs of postal and telegraph services, ensuring they could adapt to the changing demands of communication during a time of significant global upheaval. The regulations were made by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the Commonwealth's legislative authority. The objective was to streamline certain operational aspects, such as the fee exemptions for specific meteorological telegrams, thereby facilitating more efficient service delivery while recognising the unique responsibilities of postmasters and officers in charge.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1936, as amended by Statutory Rules 1940 No. 156, pertain to the modification of existing Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations. Specifically, Regulation 8 is amended by adding a sub-regulation that exempts certain meteorological telegrams from the prescribed fee. This exemption applies when the postmaster or officer in charge transmits the telegram during their duties and receives a special allowance for doing so. The amendments are effective from the first day of April 1939, indicating that any transactions involving meteorological telegrams transmitted by postmasters or officers in charge after this date and receiving a special allowance for their duties will not incur the fee outlined in sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 8. These regulations have a Commonwealth reach, applying across Australia as per the legislative powers granted under the specified Acts.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1940, No. 156, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1936, primarily amend the Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations (Regulation 8) to exclude certain meteorological telegrams from the fee requirements. According to the new sub-regulation (7) added to Regulation 8, postmasters or officers in charge who keep their offices open for the purpose of transmitting a meteorological telegram in the course of their duties will not have to pay the fee stipulated in sub-regulation (1) if they receive a special allowance for such services. These Regulations came into effect on the first day of April, 1939. These Regulations impose specific obligations on postmasters and officers in charge concerning the transmission of meteorological telegrams. If a postmaster or officer keeps the office open for the purpose of transmitting such telegrams and receives a special allowance for these duties, they are exempt from paying the fee prescribed in Regulation 8(1). This exemption is conditional upon the special allowance being a part of their remuneration for the specific task of transmitting meteorological telegrams. Failure to comply with the provisions of these Regulations may lead to legal consequences. However, the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed within the text provided. It is likely that the breaches of these Regulations could be subject to the broader penalties stipulated under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1936. These could potentially include fines or other sanctions as prescribed by the respective Acts. The exact penalties would need to be referred to in the primary legislation or relevant case law for precise determination.