Telegraph Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1950, No. 91, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1949, were enacted by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council to amend the existing Telegraph Regulations. The primary objective of these regulations was to address the need for more stringent controls over telegram transmissions, particularly in ensuring that telegrams addressed to specific individuals at registered code addresses were properly safeguarded. The new regulations came into operation on the first of December, 1950, and aimed to enhance the security and integrity of telegram communications by requiring the use of the word 'care' or its equivalent when addressing telegrams to individuals at registered code addresses, excluding the registrant and their employees identified by their official titles. Additionally, the regulations updated the fee for telephoning telegrams by subscribers from twopence to threepence. This legislative action demonstrates the ongoing efforts to refine and adapt communication regulations in response to evolving communication needs and practices.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules of 1950, No. 91, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1949, provide amendments to the existing Telegraph Regulations, coming into effect on the first day of December 1950. These Regulations specifically apply to the conduct of transmitting telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia, governing the procedures and requirements for telegrams addressed to individuals or entities at registered code addresses. Regulation 17 is amended to stipulate that telegrams addressed to a person at a registered code address, excluding the registrant or an employee addressed by their official title, must include the word 'care' or its equivalent before the address to be accepted for transmission. Furthermore, Regulation 75 is amended to adjust the charge for telephoning telegrams by subscribers from two pence to three pence. These Regulations do not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds, but their application is confined to the amendment of existing regulations concerning the transmission of telegrams within Australia. The scope of these Regulations is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may introduce additional amendments or clarifications to the existing framework.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules of 1950, No. 91, pertain to amendments to the Telegraph Regulations, which are to be implemented under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1949. The commencement date for these regulations is 1 December 1950, as stated in section 1. Section 2 modifies Regulation 17 by altering the sub-regulation (4) concerning the address format for telegrams. Specifically, it mandates that telegrams addressed to individuals at registered code addresses, except for the registrant or employees identified by their official titles, must include the word 'care' or an equivalent term before the registered code address to be accepted for transmission. Section 3 updates Regulation 75 by adjusting the fee for telephoning telegrams from two pence to three pence. These regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on the parties involved. For instance, individuals or entities sending telegrams to registered code addresses must ensure that the word 'care' precedes the address unless the recipient is the registrant or an employee with a designated title. This change aims to ensure the correct delivery of telegrams and prevent potential misunderstandings. Furthermore, subscribers who opt to have telegrams read to them over the phone must now pay three pence instead of two pence, reflecting an update in the service fee structure. The regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach within the provided text. However, non-compliance with these regulations, such as failing to use the required 'care' notation or not paying the updated fee, could potentially lead to service refusal or administrative penalties under the broader framework of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1949. Given the lack of explicit penalties in these particular regulations, it is important to consider the overarching act for any associated consequences.