Telegraph Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1952 No. 35, being the Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950, were enacted to amend existing regulations concerning telegraphic services. These amendments were made by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council and came into effect on 1 May 1952. The primary purpose of these regulations is to adjust the fees associated with the registration of telegraphic code addresses and the pricing structure for telegrams, ensuring that the services provided are adequately funded and operationally viable. This legislative instrument is a response to the need for updating and fine-tuning the regulatory framework governing postal and telegraphic services in Australia during that period.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950, specifically the Telegraph Regulations, apply to individuals and entities involved in the transmission of telegraphic messages within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations govern the pricing and registration of telegraphic code addresses, both for international and Commonwealth telegrams. The amendments outlined in these Regulations, effective from May 1, 1952, modify the fees associated with registering code addresses for international telegrams and extend registration options to Commonwealth telegrams. The changes include adjustments to the fees, with specific alterations to sub-regulations 21 and 72, and introduce a new sub-regulation 11 to detail the process and cost of registering addresses for Commonwealth telegrams. The Regulations also provide for the exclusion of certain fees and adjustments through subordinate instruments, allowing for further specification and refinement of the application and enforcement of these provisions.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950, as made on 29th April 1952, introduce amendments to the Telegraph Regulations, effective from 1st May 1952. Specifically, Regulation 21 is amended to increase the fee for registering a telegraphic code address from two shillings and sixpence to five shillings, and a new sub-regulation (11) is added. This new sub-regulation allows for the registration of a code address already registered for international telegrams only to be extended to Commonwealth telegrams, with an additional fee of three shillings and sixpence per month, or a minimum charge of seven shillings for the remainder of the year. Furthermore, Regulation 72 is amended to reflect the new fee structure by removing the specific reference to the previous fee and substituting it with the phrase "the fee payable under regulation 21 of these Regulations," and similarly adjusts the fee from two shillings and sixpence to five shillings. These Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties involved in the registration of telegraphic code addresses. Registrants must now pay a higher fee for the registration of these addresses, as stipulated in the amended Regulation 21. If a registrant wishes to extend the use of their code address from international to Commonwealth telegrams, they must pay the additional fee as outlined in the newly introduced sub-regulation (11). These changes ensure that registrants are fully aware of the financial obligations associated with the registration and use of telegraphic code addresses. For breaches of these Regulations, or failure to comply with the obligations and requirements set out, there may be legal consequences. While the document does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of the amended Regulations could result in fines or other enforcement actions under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature of the breach and the provisions of the overarching Act.