Telegraph Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1946 No. 139, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, address the need to streamline and update the regulations governing the redirection and retransmission of telegrams within and outside Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations aim to ensure the efficient delivery of telegrams by allowing for their redirection and retransmission to new addresses when known. This update was necessary to align with evolving communication needs and to facilitate the prompt and accurate delivery of messages, thereby improving the overall functionality and reliability of the telegraph service. The policy objective is to provide a seamless experience for the sender and recipient, ensuring that telegrams reach their intended recipients without unnecessary delays or additional costs.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, specifically amending the Telegraph Regulations, apply to the management and retransmission of telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations are designed to govern the re-direction and re-transmission of telegrams on the written request of the addressee or their representative, and also outline procedures for official redirection when the addressee has moved to a new location. The regulations further detail that telegrams may be retransmitted within the Commonwealth without additional charges, whereas retransmission to locations outside the Commonwealth requires prepayment of relevant telegraphic charges by the sender or addressee. Additionally, written notices of removal and instructions for the delivery of telegrams during periods when the addressee's place of business is closed are to be registered free of charge. These regulations extend across the Commonwealth, thereby applying to all relevant parties within Australia, including individuals, businesses, and governmental entities that use telegraph services.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 (section 1) include the amendment to Regulation 57, which deals with the redirection and re-transmission of telegrams. Section 1(1) of the regulation allows a telegram to be redirected and retransmitted within the Commonwealth upon a written request from the addressee or their representative, or officially when the Department’s officers learn that the addressee has moved to a new address that is known. Section 1(2) requires that a retransmitted telegram must bear the notation 'Retransmitted from' followed by the name of the office redirecting the telegram. Section 1(3) stipulates that there will be no additional charge for the retransmission of a telegram by telegraph or for its redirection by post within the Commonwealth. However, section 1(4) states that the retransmission by telegraph of a Commonwealth telegram to a place outside the Commonwealth is subject to the telegraphic charges being prepaid by the sender or addressee or their representative. The Regulations impose certain obligations on the parties involved. For instance, the Department’s officers must ensure that telegrams are redirected or retransmitted as per section 1(1) and 1(2). This includes verifying the new address of the addressee and making any necessary arrangements for the redirection or retransmission. Furthermore, section 1(4) mandates that senders or addressees must prepay any applicable telegraphic charges for telegrams retransmitted outside the Commonwealth. Additionally, section 1(5) requires the registration of written notices of removal and instructions regarding the delivery of telegrams during periods when the addressee’s place of business is closed, and this service must be provided free of charge. The Regulations also outline specific offences and penalties for breaches. While the document does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with the redirection and retransmission provisions, breaches of other provisions under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 could result in civil or criminal consequences. For example, unauthorised interception, misuse, or alteration of telegraphic communications could lead to criminal charges, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, failure to comply with payment of telegraphic charges, as mandated by section 1(4), could result in civil penalties, such as financial restitution for the costs incurred by the Commonwealth.