Sale of Meteorological Publications Regulations (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, enacted in 1912, were established to regulate the sale and distribution of meteorological publications issued by the Meteorological Bureau. These regulations were introduced by the Governor-General in Council, acting on the advice of the Minister of State for Home Affairs, due to the urgency of the matter. The primary objective of these regulations was to ensure that meteorological information was accessible to the public, educational institutions, and government departments, while also facilitating international cooperation in meteorology. This was achieved by setting specific rates for the sale of various meteorological publications and outlining the conditions under which these publications could be distributed free of charge.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, as certified by the Governor-General and coming into immediate operation, govern the sale and distribution of meteorological publications issued by the Meteorological Bureau. These regulations pertain to various publications including bulletins, weather charts, maps, and reports, with specified rates for both individual copies and subscriptions, as well as provisions for postage. The regulations apply to the sale of these publications to the general public and also outline conditions for their free distribution to public institutions, government departments, corporations, and approved persons, contingent on their use for public information, educational purposes, reciprocal services, or advertising the Commonwealth's resources. Additionally, certain meteorological institutions and similar entities globally can receive these publications free of charge. The regulations extend their reach nationally, ensuring that meteorological information is accessible and distributed in a controlled and purposeful manner.

Key Provisions

The Provisional Regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, as outlined in Statutory Rules 1912 No. 84, detail the sale and distribution of meteorological publications issued by the Meteorological Bureau. Section 1 of these Regulations specifies the publications that can be sold and the corresponding prices, including various bulletins, charts, maps, and reports, with some available at a reduced rate if purchased as an annual subscription (Section 2). The Regulations also set out the prices for additional publications not listed in Section 1, stating that they can be sold at sixpence per copy for bulletins and pamphlets and one shilling per copy for maps (Section 3). These Regulations impose obligations on the parties involved in the sale and distribution of meteorological publications. They require that subscriptions be paid in advance (Section 2) and outline the conditions under which these publications can be distributed free of charge or at cost price. This includes distribution to public institutions, government departments, corporations, and individuals approved by the Minister or his delegates, provided the publications are used for public information, educational purposes, in return for reciprocal services, or for advertising the Commonwealth's resources (Section 4). Additionally, the Regulations allow for the free distribution of these publications to official meteorological institutions and similar bodies worldwide (Section 5). The Regulations do not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches. However, it is reasonable to infer that any misuse or unauthorized distribution of the meteorological publications could be considered a breach of the terms set out in the Regulations, potentially leading to legal action under the broader provisions of the Meteorology Act 1906 or other relevant legislation. Given the nature of the statutory instrument, the primary focus appears to be on the orderly sale and distribution of meteorological information rather than punitive measures.