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

Overview

The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, enacted in 1912, addresses the need to update the operational procedures concerning the hours of business for telegrams within the Commonwealth. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council due to the urgency of the amendments required. The primary objective of the amendment is to refine the process for the delivery and collection of telegrams by replacing the previously designated boxes at telegraph stations with post-office letter-boxes or special boxes where they are provided at telegraph stations. This regulation ensures a more streamlined and efficient process for handling telegrams, thereby enhancing the overall service provided under the Post and Telegraph Act.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, specifically the Telegraphic Regulations concerning the hours of business for telegrams within the Commonwealth, applies to all entities and individuals involved in the sending, receiving, and processing of telegrams within Australia. This includes telegraph companies, post offices, and any person or entity utilising the telegraph service for communication purposes. The geographic reach of this regulation is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, meaning it pertains to activities occurring within the boundaries of the nation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text, and the threshold for application is implicitly set by the nature of the activities it governs, namely the transmission of telegrams. The regulation allows for extensions or restrictions through subordinate instruments, although no such extensions or restrictions are explicitly mentioned in this particular legislative instrument.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 (C1912L00158) concern the alteration of the procedure for submitting telegrams within the Commonwealth, specifically the hours of business (Section 1). The amendment involves changing the location where telegrams can be deposited for transmission. Originally, telegrams could be deposited in a box provided at each telegraph station. However, the amended regulation now specifies that telegrams can be deposited in a post-office letter-box or, where provided, a special box at a telegraph station (Section 1). This change aims to streamline the process and ensure that telegrams can be submitted in a more consistent manner. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties involved primarily revolve around the submission and handling of telegrams within the stipulated hours of business. The Postmaster-General and other relevant authorities are required to ensure that the designated post-office letter-boxes or special boxes at telegraph stations are properly maintained and available for telegram submissions. This ensures that the process remains efficient and accessible to the public. Furthermore, the regulation implies that the public must be aware of the locations where telegrams can be deposited and the operating hours of these locations to comply with the Act. In terms of consequences for breach, the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with the new telegram submission procedures. However, as this regulation operates under the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, any general provisions outlined in that Act would apply. This could potentially include administrative actions taken by the Postmaster-General or other relevant authorities to ensure compliance. Additionally, if the failure to comply with these provisions results in significant inconvenience or service disruption, it could lead to further regulatory scrutiny or actions under the broader postal and telegraphic regulations.