Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1917, numbered No. 152, introduce an amendment to the existing regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. This legislative instrument was enacted to modify the Telephone Regulations of 1913. The problem it addresses pertains to the registration of visitors in the telephone list for premises with telephone connections, which required updating to reflect changes in the operational fee structure and payment arrangements for telephone calls. The amendment was enacted by the Governor-General, with advice from the Federal Executive Council, and it specifies a new fee structure for visitors to have their names inserted in the telephone list while also detailing the payment arrangements for calls made by visitors. The policy objective here appears to be to streamline the process for visitors to access telephone services while ensuring clear and updated financial obligations.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, made by the Governor-General in Council, pertains to the amendment of the Telephone Regulations, 1913. This legislation applies to visitors residing in premises with a telephone connected to an exchange, stipulating that these visitors can have their names included in the Telephone List upon payment of a specified fee. The geographic scope of this regulation is national, as it applies throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting its enactment under federal authority. Notably, the regulation does not exclude any persons or entities from its purview, provided they meet the criterion of residing in premises with a telephone connection. The amendment specifically revises sub-regulation (2) of regulation 24, introducing new conditions regarding the payment for telephone services by visitors, distinct from the subscription fee paid by the primary subscriber. This legislative instrument underscores the Commonwealth's authority to modify postal and telegraph services, as outlined in the originating Act, and its ability to implement changes through statutory rules.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, as presented in Statutory Rules 1917, No. 152, primarily revises the Telephone Regulations, 1913. The key operative sections include the amendment to sub-regulation (2) of regulation 24 (sub-regulation (2)) which now permits visitors residing in premises with a telephone connected to an exchange to have their names included in the Telephone List. This inclusion requires a fee of Ten shillings per half-year. Furthermore, the regulation specifies that the payment for calls made by these visitors is to be arranged directly between the subscriber and the visitor, distinct from the fee for listing. The amended regulation imposes certain obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, for visitors to have their names added to the Telephone List, they must reside in premises with a connected telephone and pay the specified fee (sub-regulation (2)). The subscribers, on the other hand, are required to make separate arrangements for payment of calls with their visitors. This arrangement delineates the financial responsibility for telephone usage between the subscriber and the visitor, ensuring clarity and direct accountability. Breach of the provisions set forth in these regulations may result in various consequences. Although the specific penalties or consequences are not detailed in the provided text, it is customary under such legislative instruments for non-compliance to result in administrative or legal repercussions. For instance, failure to pay the required fee for inclusion in the Telephone List could lead to denial of listing services. Additionally, disputes over call payments not settled between the subscriber and the visitor might require intervention or resolution by relevant authorities. The exact nature and severity of penalties are typically outlined in the broader legal framework of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 or subsequent amendments.