Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1913, No. 320, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1912, introduce regulations concerning the re-direction of telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations aim to provide flexibility in the delivery and re-transmission of telegrams, ensuring efficiency and convenience in communication. They address the need to re-direct telegrams to the correct destination, particularly when the addressee has moved or when there is an error in the address, while also setting out the associated charges for such services. This legislative instrument underscores the policy objective of maintaining an effective and responsive postal and telegraph service in the early years of the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The amended Telegraphic Regulations, introduced under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1912, primarily govern the re-direction and re-transmission of telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to any individual or entity wishing to re-direct or re-transmit a telegram, with the process being subject to specific conditions and charges. For instance, a telegram may be re-directed from one office to another within the Commonwealth upon the written request of the addressee or their agent, with the re-transmitted telegram being charged at half rate, with a minimum charge of 6 pence. Additionally, if a telegram addressed to a hotel or house is returned unopened due to the addressee's departure, it can be re-directed following specific instructions from the hotel or house proprietor or their servant. Furthermore, telegrams mistakenly addressed to a capital city instead of a specific office within the metropolitan area, and those where both the original and second addresses are within three miles of a General Post Office, can be re-directed and delivered without incurring extra charges. This regulation underscores the importance of clear and precise addressing to avoid unnecessary costs and complications in telegram transmission within Australia.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1912 (sections 1-3) detail the procedures for re-directing telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia. Section 1 repeals previous regulations and introduces new rules for re-direction, specifying that a telegram can be re-directed at the written request of the addressee or their agent, with a charge of half the normal rate, with a minimum of six pence. Section 2 allows for the return of unopened telegrams addressed to hotels or lodging houses if the addressee has left, with instructions for re-transmission signed and dated by the proprietor or their servant. Section 3 allows for the re-direction of telegrams within a three-mile radius of a General Post Office without additional charge, provided the original and new addresses are within that radius. The obligations imposed by the Act include the requirement for addressees or their agents to make a written request for re-direction, and for proprietors or their servants to provide signed and dated instructions for the re-transmission of unopened telegrams addressed to hotels or lodging houses. There is also an obligation to pay the specified charge for re-directed telegrams, unless they fall under the conditions of Section 3, which permits free re-direction within a specified radius. Breach of the conditions outlined in the Act could result in penalties, though the specific nature of these penalties is not detailed in the text. It is likely that non-compliance with payment or procedural requirements could lead to civil or administrative consequences, such as fines or service disruptions. The Act does not specify criminal penalties, but it does mention that the regulation is issued under the authority of the Governor-General in accordance with the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1912, suggesting that any breaches could be subject to the enforcement mechanisms provided by that overarching Act.