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

Overview

Statutory Rules 1907, No. 116, amends the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, aiming to address the urgent need to regulate connections to telephone exchanges and the use of public telephones. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these provisional regulations were introduced to provide immediate effect in light of the urgency. The primary policy objective is to establish clear guidelines and charges for extending telephone lines beyond existing networks and to ensure that public telephones are used only by authorised users, thereby maintaining order and managing costs effectively. The regulations outline specific distance-based charges for connecting places outside the network of a telephone exchange and impose penalties for unauthorised use of public telephones, thus aiming to streamline operations and ensure fair usage within the telephone system.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 govern the establishment and operation of telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations specifically apply to telephone exchanges and public telephones, providing detailed provisions for the connection of places outside the network of a telephone exchange, including limitations on the length of lines and associated charges. They also regulate the use of public telephones, stipulating that any person, other than a subscriber or an officer of the Department, must pay a prescribed fee before using a public telephone. The regulations are enforced nationally and are subject to summary conviction for any contraventions, with penalties not exceeding Five pounds. While these regulations are designated as provisional, they are intended to come into immediate operation and provide a temporary framework until more comprehensive legislation is enacted.

Key Provisions

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as evidenced by Statutory Rules 1907, No. 116, introduce amendments to the existing Telephone Regulations. Part I of these amendments pertains to Telephone Exchanges, while Part IV addresses Public Telephones. The regulations are designed to allow for more flexible connections to telephone networks and to impose stricter controls on the use of public telephones. Specifically, Regulation 10a (Part I) allows places outside the network of a telephone exchange to connect to any telephone exchange within the network, provided the total length of the line does not exceed 25 miles. The charges for this connection are structured such that if the telephone line does not extend more than five miles beyond the network limits, the charge is the same as for a similar line length within the network (Regulation 10a(3)(a)). However, for lines extending more than five but not more than 25 miles beyond the network limits, the charge for the part within five miles is the same, and an additional charge of 45 shillings per annum for each half mile or part thereof beyond the five-mile limit is applied (Regulation 10a(3)(b)). The charges are based on the actual length of the line rather than the radial distance. In terms of obligations and requirements, the new regulations impose a duty on the public to pay the prescribed fee before using a public telephone (Regulation 1, Part IV). Any person who uses or attempts to use a public telephone without paying this fee is liable to an offence and faces a penalty on summary conviction not exceeding five pounds (Regulation 2, Part IV). These provisions ensure that public telephones are used responsibly and that the revenue generated from their use is properly accounted for. The regulations also establish consequences for non-compliance. Under Regulation 2 (Part IV), anyone who violates the fee requirement for using a public telephone commits an offence and can be fined up to five pounds upon summary conviction. This penalty serves as a deterrent against misuse of public telephones and ensures compliance with the payment requirement. These measures are designed to maintain the integrity and financial sustainability of the public telephone system.