Telephone Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1920 No. 226, made under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, was enacted to amend the existing regulations concerning telegraph services. This regulation was introduced to address issues related to the charging of telegram transmission fees, particularly the need to impose additional charges for multiple telegrams sent during a single call. The regulation was issued by the Governor-General in Council, in accordance with the legislative powers granted by the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective behind this amendment was to ensure a more accurate billing system for telegraph services, reflecting the use of the communication infrastructure more precisely and providing clear financial accountability for multiple telegram transmissions.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 226, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, focus on the amendment of the telegraph regulations established in 1913. This regulation specifically addresses the charges for telegrams transmitted via telephone calls, introducing an additional fee of 1 penny per telegram for each telegram transmitted by the same call, unless the subscriber has a direct line to the Telegraph Office and pays a specified fee for an individual telegram, which exempts them from these additional charges. This regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is a federal instrument under the Post and Telegraph Act. The legislation does not explicitly exclude or exempt any particular persons, entities, or transactions beyond those with direct lines to the Telegraph Office who pay the specified fee. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of these regulations, although the current text does not provide details on such extensions or restrictions.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislative instrument pertain to the amendment of the telegraph regulations from 1913. Specifically, Sub-regulation 2 of regulation 37 has been repealed and replaced with a new sub-regulation (37(2)). The amendment introduces additional charges for telephoned telegrams, where an "Exchange call" shall be recorded and charged to the subscriber. Furthermore, if a subscriber transmits more than one telegram during the same call, an additional fee of 1d. per telegram will be charged for each additional telegram, subject to the condition that subscribers with direct lines to the Telegraph Office are exempt from these additional fees if they pay the standard fee specified in sub-regulation 37(1). The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are primarily directed towards subscribers of telegraph services. Subscribers must ensure they are aware of the new fee structure and how it applies to their use of the telegraph service. Those who use the telephone to send telegrams must account for the additional charges for each call and for any additional telegrams sent during the same call. Subscribers with direct lines to the Telegraph Office, however, are exempt from these additional fees if they pay the standard fee for individual telegrams. This exemption is clearly outlined to prevent any confusion and ensure that subscribers are charged appropriately based on their service usage. The regulation does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for breach; however, the implication is that non-compliance with the fee structure could result in disputes or financial discrepancies. The introduction of the new fee structure aims to ensure that all subscribers are fairly charged for their use of the telegraph service, and any failure to comply with these regulations could lead to billing errors or disputes over charges. While the regulation does not specify maximum penalties, it is understood that adherence to the prescribed fees is necessary to maintain the integrity of the service and to ensure that all parties are treated equitably.