STATUTORY RULES.
1913. No. 68.
PROVISIONAL REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1910.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, namely:—
Telegrams Beyond the Commonwealth:
Manner of Writing and Acceptance of Telegrams,
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this twenty-seventh day of February, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. FINDLEY.
Telegrams beyond the commonwealth.
Regulations Governing the Transmission of Telegrams to and from Places Beyond the Commonwealth
11—Manner of Writing and Acceptance of Telegrams.
Regulation 13 under this head (Statutory Rules 1909, No. 124) is repealed, and the following Regulation substituted in its stead:—
“13. Telegrams in plain language shall mean those of which the text is entirely written in language which offers an intelligible sense in one or more of the languages authorized for international telegraphic correspondence, viz., English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, or Latin, or any language notified by any Administration which is a party to the International Telegraph Union, as authorized for international telegraphic correspondence in plain language, when such language is that of the country of destination; and shall also include code addresses, commercial marks, exchange quotations, letters representing signals of the international code of signals employed in maritime telegrams, abbreviated expressions currently used in ordinary or commercial correspondence, as fob, cif, caf, svp, or any other analogous expression.
The Postmaster-General may require the sender to produce such evidence as to the meaning and the admissibility of any word and the ordinary usage of any language, and as to any other particular as will satisfy him that the Regulations in respect of plain language are duly observed.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.3615.—Price 3d
Overview
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, enacted in 1913, addresses the need for standardised procedures in the transmission of telegrams beyond the Commonwealth. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Governor-General, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to ensure that telegrams are written in plain language and accepted for transmission without ambiguity. The regulation was deemed urgent, necessitating its immediate implementation. It aims to ensure that telegrams are intelligible in one or more of the authorized languages for international correspondence, including English and other widely used languages, as well as any language notified by parties to the International Telegraph Union. The policy objective is to facilitate clear and effective communication in international telegraphic correspondence, ensuring that telegrams are understood without confusion by the intended recipients.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 pertains specifically to the manner of writing and acceptance of telegrams sent beyond the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation applies to all telegrams that are intended for transmission to or from places outside Australia, encompassing any individual, business, or entity seeking to communicate via this method. The regulation mandates that telegrams must be written in plain language, ensuring they are intelligible in one or more of the authorised languages for international correspondence, which include English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, and Latin, as well as any other languages approved by the International Telegraph Union. Additionally, the regulation allows for the use of code addresses, commercial marks, exchange quotations, and other abbreviated expressions commonly used in commercial correspondence. The Postmaster-General holds the authority to request evidence of the meaning and admissibility of any word or language used, ensuring compliance with the stipulated regulations. This regulation extends its jurisdiction to all telegrams sent beyond Australia’s borders and is intended to maintain clarity and efficiency in international communications.
Key Provisions
The operative sections of the Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 focus primarily on the manner in which telegrams must be written and accepted, particularly those sent beyond the Commonwealth. Section 13 stipulates that telegrams must be in plain language, meaning the text must be intelligible in one or more specified languages (Regulation 13). These languages include English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, and Latin, or any language notified by an administration that is a party to the International Telegraph Union. This regulation also covers code addresses, commercial marks, exchange quotations, and letters representing signals of the international code of signals used in maritime telegrams, along with commonly abbreviated expressions like 'fob', 'cif', 'caf', 'svp', or any other analogous expressions.
The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Senders of telegrams must ensure that their messages are written in an intelligible language as specified in Section 13. They must also be prepared to provide evidence regarding the meaning and admissibility of any word or phrase used, as well as any other relevant particulars, to satisfy the Postmaster-General that the regulations are being observed. This evidence can include explanations of ordinary usage in the relevant language and context, ensuring that the telegram can be accurately interpreted by the receiving party.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in civil or administrative consequences. While the legislation does not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the regulations could potentially lead to refusal of service or other corrective measures by the Postmaster-General. The Postmaster-General may also take steps to ensure that telegrams conform to the prescribed standards before transmission, which could include requesting additional clarification or amendments from the sender. Ensuring adherence to these regulations is critical to maintain the efficiency and clarity of international telegraphic correspondence.