Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, numbered 1909. No. 77, were enacted to address the need for clarity and consistency in the counting and charging of words in telegrams within the Commonwealth. This legislative instrument, issued by the Governor-General on behalf of the Federal Executive Council, was introduced due to the urgent necessity of standardising the way telegrams were billed. The policy objective behind these regulations was to ensure that words were counted accurately to avoid discrepancies in the charges imposed on telegrams. This regulation specifically aimed to clarify the counting of certain words, including cardinal and ordinal numbers, and words representing monetary values, by treating them as single words regardless of whether they were written as one word or joined by a hyphen. This legislative action was taken to bring about uniformity and fairness in the postal and telegraphic services provided by the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, particularly the Telegraphic Regulations concerning telegrams within the Commonwealth, establish specific guidelines for the counting and charging of words used in telegrams. These regulations apply to all telegrams sent within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Australia and concern the manner in which words are counted for billing purposes. This includes the counting of cardinal and ordinal numbers, as well as specific monetary terms, as individual words regardless of their hyphenation. The regulations ensure a uniform approach to word counting, thereby standardising the charges for telegrams across the Commonwealth. The application of these regulations is limited to the Commonwealth and does not extend beyond its jurisdictional reach. Notably, the regulations do not provide explicit exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the defined scope of word counting, and they are intended to come into immediate operation as provisional measures.

Key Provisions

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 introduce amendments to the existing Telegraphic Regulations, specifically concerning the counting and charging of words in telegrams sent within the Commonwealth (Reg. 2). These regulations clarify the word count for certain words and combinations to ensure accurate billing. For example, cardinal and ordinal numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, as well as specific monetary terms, are to be counted as single words, even if they are written as one word or joined by a hyphen (Reg. 2, Gazette No. 26, 5th June 1902, p. 257). These regulations impose obligations on postal and telegraph services providers to correctly count and charge for telegrams based on the word definitions outlined in the amended Regulation. The providers must ensure that the word count and corresponding charges are accurate, particularly for the specified words and combinations (Reg. 2). This includes ensuring that the billing process is transparent and fair to customers, adhering to the defined word count rules. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in civil or administrative consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the document, non-compliance with postal and telegraph regulations can typically lead to fines, penalties, or other enforcement actions as stipulated under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 and related laws. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional provisions outlined in the overarching Act.