STATUTORY RULES.
1917. No. 215.
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1916.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-ninth day of August, One thousand nine hundred and seventeen.
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.)
The following Regulation is inserted after Regulation 42:—
42a. Statements showing details for any half-year or portion thereof of telephoned telegrams charged against a subscriber’s deposit will, upon the subscriber’s request, be furnished at the following charges:—
For each statement showing telephoned telegrams to the value of One pound or under, One shilling.
For each statement showing telephoned telegrams to the value of over One pound, One shilling for the first pound, and Sixpence for each additional pound or fraction thereof.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.10904.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1917, No. 215, enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, constitutes a regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for a more structured and transparent method of billing subscribers for telephoned telegrams. The objective of these regulations is to provide clarity and fairness in the charges levied on subscribers for telegrams transmitted over the telephone network, ensuring that subscribers receive detailed statements upon request, with associated charges clearly outlined.
The regulation was issued to amend the existing Telephone Regulations of 1913, specifically introducing a new Regulation 42a that details the charges for statements of telephoned telegrams. This amendment aims to provide subscribers with the necessary information about their usage and associated costs, thereby addressing a gap in the existing regulatory framework by offering a systematic approach to billing and transparency in telecommunications services.
Scope and Application
The Regulation, which is a legislative instrument under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, establishes specific charges for subscribers who request detailed statements of their telephoned telegram usage. This applies to all subscribers within the Commonwealth of Australia who engage in the transmission of telegrams via telephone services. The charges outlined in the Regulation are for each statement that details the usage of telephoned telegrams, with different rates applied based on the value of the telegrams. The stated exclusions within the Regulation are limited to the scope of the charges for the provision of these statements. The Regulation extends the application of the Act by adding a new rule to the existing Telephone Regulations, 1913, which were previously established under Statutory Rules 1913, No. 349. This amendment is intended to come into operation immediately upon its publication, as mandated by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council’s advice.
Key Provisions
The main operative section of this regulation is section 42a, which introduces a new requirement for providing detailed statements of telephoned telegrams to subscribers. According to this section, subscribers can request a statement that outlines the details of any half-year or portion thereof of telephoned telegrams charged against their deposit. The charge for such a statement depends on the total value of the telegrams. Specifically, if the total value of the telegrams is one pound or less, the charge is one shilling. If the total value exceeds one pound, the charge is one shilling for the first pound, and sixpence for each additional pound or fraction thereof (section 42a).
This regulation imposes specific obligations on both the subscribers and the postal authority. Subscribers have the right to request a detailed statement of their telephoned telegrams, ensuring they are fully informed about the charges applied to their deposit. The postal authority, on the other hand, is obligated to provide these statements upon request and to charge the specified fees accordingly. The regulation ensures transparency in billing and allows subscribers to manage their accounts more effectively (section 42a).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this regulation may result in certain consequences. While the regulation itself does not explicitly state any penalties for non-compliance, it is important to note that the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, under which this regulation is made, may have provisions for penalties or other civil or criminal consequences for breaches. The precise nature and extent of these consequences would depend on the specific circumstances and any relevant provisions of the overarching Act.
In summary, the regulation mandates that detailed statements of telephoned telegrams be provided to subscribers upon request, with specific charges outlined for such statements. It places certain obligations on both subscribers and the postal authority to ensure compliance with these provisions. While the regulation itself does not detail specific penalties for non-compliance, it operates within the broader framework of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, which may include provisions for addressing breaches.