Telegraph Regulations 1927 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1929, No. 128, represents an amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, issued by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This legislative instrument was designed to address gaps in the existing regulations regarding the transmission of telegrams after the closure of local telegraph offices, particularly in situations where subscribers were connected to telephone exchanges that remained operational past the standard closing time of 7 p.m. The regulation introduces provisions that allow telegrams to be transmitted via telephone lines to subscribers whose local telegraph offices are closed, provided certain conditions are met, including the payment of additional trunk line fees. The overarching objective of this regulation is to enhance the accessibility and flexibility of telegram services for subscribers, ensuring they can still receive communications beyond the usual operational hours of local telegraph offices. The amendment, which came into operation on 1 December 1929, provides specific guidelines for the address and payment details required for such telegrams, ensuring clarity and efficiency in their processing and delivery. This legislative action exemplifies the commitment of the Australian government to adapt and refine communication services in response to technological advancements and the evolving needs of its citizens.

Scope and Application

The amended Telegraph Regulations, introduced by Statutory Rules 1929, No. 128, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, specifically address the procedure for telegram transmission during evening hours when local telegraph offices are closed. The regulation applies to subscribers connected to telephone exchanges that remain operational beyond 7 p.m. and are linked to telegraph offices that also operate after this time. The regulation mandates that if a subscriber's local telegraph office closes before 7 p.m., telegrams can still be delivered by telephone over a trunk line to the subscriber, provided the sender pays the additional trunk line fees. This applies only if the subscriber is connected to a telephone exchange that is operational past 7 p.m. and the exchange is linked to a telegraph office that remains open during these hours. The telegram's address must include specific details such as the paid service instruction, the addressee's surname, the word "Telephone," the name of the exchange, the subscriber's telephone number, and the name of the telegraph office from which the telegram is to be telephoned. Each of these details is subject to a charge based on the number of words included. The amended regulation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it does extend the applicability of the original regulation through the addition of a new sub-regulation.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, specifically Regulation 76, introduces a new provision that allows for the telephonic transmission of telegrams to subscribers whose local telegraph office is closed before 7 p.m. but are connected to a telephone exchange that remains open beyond this time. If this telephone exchange is telephonically linked to an open telegraph office, telegrams can be transmitted to the subscriber over a trunk line, provided that the sender pays the associated trunk line fees in addition to the standard telegraph rates (Regulation 76(5)). The telegram's address must include a paid service instruction indicating the payment of trunk line fees, the surname of the addressee, the word "Telephone", the name of the exchange and the subscriber's telephone number, and the name of the telegraph office from which the telegram is being transmitted. These particulars are all counted as chargeable words for billing purposes. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. For subscribers whose local telegraph office closes before 7 p.m., it is mandatory to be connected to a telephone exchange that remains open later in the day. This allows for the telephonic transmission of telegrams after the local telegraph office's closing time. Additionally, the sender of the telegram must ensure the address includes all specified details, including the paid service instruction for trunk line fees. The telegraph office from which the telegram is transmitted must also be prepared to handle such requests and ensure the telegram is delivered telephonically to the subscriber's connected telephone exchange. Breaches of the provisions in this regulation may lead to various consequences. Firstly, if a telegram is not correctly addressed according to the specified format, it may not be delivered as intended, resulting in potential delays or failure in communication. Secondly, failure to pay the trunk line fees when required can result in the telegram not being transmitted. Furthermore, if a subscriber's local telegraph office is not correctly connected to an open telephone exchange, the opportunity for telephonic transmission may be lost. While the regulation does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that any failure to adhere to the specified requirements could lead to administrative or service delivery issues.