STATUTORY RULES.
1924. No. 22.
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901‑1923.
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 Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901‑1923, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this sixth day of February, 1924.
FORSTER,
Governor‑General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. GIBSON,
Postmaster‑General.
Amendment of the Telephone Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 349, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 10 of the Telephone Regulations is amended by omitting paragraph (b) of sub‑regulation (3), and inserting in its stead the following paragraph:—
“(b) Where the telephone line connects a place with a Telephone Exchange, and extends more than 5 miles, but not more than 25 miles, beyond the limits of the network of which the exchange forms part, the charge for the service shall be as specified in the last preceding paragraph for the part of the line which does not extend more than 5 miles (measured radially) beyond the limits of the network, and shall be at the rate prescribed by regulation 7, plus 50 per centum for so much of the actual length of the line as extends more than 5 miles beyond the limits of the network:
Provided that the additional 50 per centum shall not be charged in cases where the subscriber is connecting to the exchange nearest to his premises, or to the nearest exchange at which continuous service is available.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.1239.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1924, No. 22, represent an amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, issued by the Governor-General in Council. This legislative instrument was enacted to address specific issues related to telephone services and their associated charges. The regulation modifies the existing Telephone Regulations to clarify and adjust the charges for telephone lines that connect places to a telephone exchange but extend beyond the network limits, specifically between 5 and 25 miles. This change aims to ensure that the charges are more accurately reflective of the distance and service provided. The enactment underscores the intent to streamline and standardise the pricing structure for such services, thereby improving clarity and fairness in the charges levied on subscribers.
The regulation was issued by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the legislative authority of the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective behind this amendment is to establish a more precise and equitable pricing mechanism for telephone services that extend beyond the immediate network limits. This ensures that subscribers are charged appropriately for the additional distance and service required, while also providing exceptions where the nearest available exchange is used, thereby preventing unnecessary additional charges.
Scope and Application
The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923 applies specifically to the provision and pricing of telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia. It targets service providers and subscribers involved in the operation of telephone lines that connect to a telephone exchange, with particular attention to lines extending between 5 and 25 miles beyond the network limits of the exchange. The Regulation mandates that for telephone lines within this specified distance range, charges are to be calculated based on the distance up to 5 miles, with an additional 50% applied to the portion extending beyond 5 miles. However, this additional charge does not apply if the subscriber connects to the nearest exchange with available continuous service. This legislative instrument sets forth the parameters for pricing in a manner that aims to balance service accessibility and operational costs for both service providers and consumers.
Key Provisions
The main operative section of this amended regulation pertains to Regulation 10 of the Telephone Regulations (1913, No. 349), which establishes the charging structure for telephone lines connecting to a telephone exchange but extending beyond the network limits. Specifically, Regulation 10(3)(b) now stipulates that for telephone lines connecting to an exchange and extending between 5 and 25 miles beyond the network limits, the charge will be based on the existing rate for the first 5 miles, with an additional 50 percent charge for the portion of the line extending beyond 5 miles. However, this additional 50 percent charge does not apply if the subscriber connects to the nearest exchange or the nearest exchange with continuous service.
The amended regulation imposes specific obligations on subscribers and telephone companies. Subscribers must ensure that their telephone lines comply with the distance and connection requirements specified. The telephone companies, on the other hand, must accurately calculate and apply the prescribed charges, taking into account the distance of the line and whether the additional 50 percent charge applies. Additionally, the companies must provide transparent billing to subscribers, detailing the components of the charge based on the amended regulation.
Breaches of this regulation could result in civil or administrative consequences, although the specific nature and penalties for such breaches are not explicitly stated within the text of the amended regulation. Generally, non-compliance with statutory regulations can lead to fines, enforcement actions, or other penalties as determined by relevant authorities. The extent and specifics of such penalties would depend on the context and severity of the breach, as well as other applicable laws and regulations.