STATUTORY RULES
1916. No. 94.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901–1913.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this eighteenth day of May, One thousand nine hundred and sixteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
WILLIAM WEBSTER,
Postmaster-General.
‘Amendment of the Telephone Regulations, 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 349, as amended by Statutory Rules 1915, No. 242, and Statutory Rules 1914, No. 139.)
1. Sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 11 is repealed, and the following sub-regulation is inserted in its stead:—
11. (1) Except in the cases, referred to in Regulation 12, where spare or idle complete lines already exist from the premises of an intending subscriber to the Exchange, and cases where temporary telephonic communication is required, as provided by Regulation 113, telephone lines must be rented for a period certain of one year at least, or for such longer time as the Deputy Postmaster-General decides, and thereafter the renting shall continue unless and until determined by notice in accordance with this Regulation.
2. Regulation 113 is repealed, and the following Regulation is inserted in its stead:—
Temporary Telephonic Communication.
113. (1) In cases where temporary telephonic communication is required, such communication will be provided by the Postmaster-General for a period not exceeding six months under the following conditions:—The cost of connecting and dismantling the telephone service to be paid for by the associations or persons requiring the
C.2740.—Price 3d.
same, which cost shall include only labour, perishable material, and any special line construction, but shall not include the cost of instruments.
In addition to which the following charges shall be payable:—
(a) If the telephones are used without Exchange service, 10s. per month or portion thereof up to six months for each set of telephones used:
(b) If the telephones are connected with any public Telephone Exchange, the rates prescribed by Part IV. or Part VI. of these Regulations.
Provided, however, that the charge mentioned in (a) shall not be made in the case of temporary telephonic communication required by Rifle Clubs.
(2) In cases where temporary telephonic communication is required for a period exceeding six months, the charges shall be those prescribed in Part I. of these Regulations, in addition to the cost of connecting and dismantling the telephone service, which cost shall include only labour, perishable material, and any special line construction, but shall not include the cost of instruments.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1916 No. 94, made under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913, amends the Telephone Regulations to introduce changes in the rental and temporary use of telephone lines. The objective of these amendments, as enacted by the Governor-General in Council, is to provide more structured and cost-reflective guidelines for the use of telephone services, ensuring that the Postmaster-General's services are managed efficiently and fairly. This legislative instrument seeks to address the need for clearer terms and conditions regarding the rental and temporary use of telephone lines, ensuring that users are aware of the costs and obligations associated with these services. The regulations are designed to come into immediate operation, reflecting a prompt response to the identified gaps in the previous framework.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913 apply to all entities and individuals requiring telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations govern the rental and use of telephone lines, specifically stipulating that telephone lines must be rented for a period of at least one year unless exempted, and that temporary telephonic communication is limited to six months with specific charges applicable. The regulations also detail the costs associated with connecting and dismantling the telephone service, which include labour, perishable materials, and any special line construction but exclude the cost of instruments. The application of these regulations is comprehensive across the Commonwealth, with explicit provisions for exceptions such as when spare or idle lines already exist from a subscriber's premises to the Exchange or when temporary telephonic communication is required. The regulations are further amended to adjust the rental periods and the conditions under which temporary communication services can be provided. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, impacting all users of postal and telegraphic services within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913 primarily address the rental of telephone lines and the provision of temporary telephonic communication. Regulation 11 (1) stipulates that telephone lines must be rented for a minimum period of one year unless specific exceptions apply, such as when spare or idle lines are already available from the subscriber's premises to the Exchange or when temporary telephonic communication is required. Regulation 113 outlines the conditions under which temporary telephonic communication is provided, specifying the duration of such service and the associated costs. Notably, the cost of connecting and dismantling the telephone service must be borne by the requesting party and includes labor, perishable materials, and special line construction but excludes the cost of instruments.
The Regulations impose certain obligations on subscribers and requesting parties. Subscribers must adhere to the rental periods specified in Regulation 11 and may only secure shorter rental periods under specific conditions, such as when existing lines are available. Requesting parties for temporary telephonic communication must pay the prescribed charges, which include the cost of connection and dismantling as well as any additional monthly charges if the service is used without Exchange service or if it is connected with a public Telephone Exchange. Furthermore, any service exceeding six months must follow the charges prescribed in Part I of the Regulations.
Breaches of these Regulations may result in civil or criminal consequences, although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text. Typically, under Australian law, failure to comply with regulatory provisions could lead to fines or other penalties as prescribed by the relevant Act or regulation. For instance, non-payment of charges or unauthorized use of services might attract fines or legal action to recover unpaid amounts or to enforce compliance. However, the exact penalties and enforcement mechanisms would be determined in accordance with the broader legislative framework governing postal and telegraph services.