Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1912, No. 222, titled "Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910," was enacted to amend the existing regulations concerning telegraphic communications, particularly in relation to electoral telegrams. This legislative instrument, issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1912, No. 173, was introduced by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The primary objective of these regulations was to establish specific rates for the transmission of telegrams that pertain to Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections, ensuring that such telegrams, which contain only the names of electoral divisions, candidates, and vote counts, are handled in a manner consistent with other Commonwealth press telegrams. This legislative amendment aimed to streamline the communication of election results while maintaining regulatory oversight over the content and cost of such transmissions.

Scope and Application

The Telegraphic Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1912, No. 222, apply to telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia concerning Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections. These telegrams must contain specific information, including the names of Commonwealth Electoral Divisions and Subdivisions, the names of candidates, the number of votes polled by each candidate, and the number of informal votes. The regulation ensures that such telegrams are transmitted after an election and are subject to the rates prescribed for Commonwealth press telegrams within the Commonwealth. The amendment replaces the previous regulation (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 81) and comes into operation on the thirtieth day of November, 1912. This regulation governs the content and transmission of electoral-related telegrams, ensuring they adhere to specific guidelines and rates set for Commonwealth press telegrams.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, as stipulated in Statutory Rules 1912, No. 222, focus on the regulation of telegraphic communications, specifically concerning Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections. Section 1 outlines the repeal of the previous Regulation under Statutory Rules 1906, No. 81, and replaces it with new provisions. Section 2 introduces the new Regulation that governs the transmission of electoral telegrams within the Commonwealth. These telegrams must relate to Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections and must contain only specific information such as the names of electoral divisions and candidates, the number of votes polled, and the number of informal votes (Section 2). The obligations imposed by this legislation are primarily on those who wish to transmit electoral telegrams. They must ensure that the telegrams are submitted after an election and comply with the prescribed rates for Commonwealth press telegrams transmitted within the Commonwealth. The content of the telegrams must strictly adhere to the specified details – names of electoral divisions and subdivisions, candidates, vote counts, and informal votes – to be eligible for transmission under the prescribed rates (Section 2). In terms of offences, penalties, or consequences for breach, the legislation does not explicitly detail specific penalties for non-compliance. However, the requirement to adhere to the prescribed rates and content of the telegrams suggests that failure to comply could result in the telegrams not being transmitted or potentially being subject to higher rates. Given the context and historical nature of the regulation, it can be inferred that non-compliance could lead to administrative or procedural consequences, such as the telegrams not being processed as intended. However, without additional legislative context or subsequent amendments, it is difficult to specify exact penalties or consequences for breach.