Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 197, made under the authority of the Governor-General in Council, represent an amendment to the existing regulations concerning telephone services, specifically those governed by the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for enhanced security measures in the use of telephone services, particularly to prevent unauthorized use without affecting the ability to receive calls. The objective is to provide subscribers with a means to secure their telephones through the use of a Yale control lock, ensuring that only those with the key can initiate calls while still allowing the subscriber to receive incoming calls. The regulation outlines the conditions and charges associated with the installation and maintenance of such locks, as well as the provision of keys, aiming to balance security with accessibility.

Scope and Application

The amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 pertains to subscribers of telephone exchanges operated by magneto instruments and those renting magneto telephones from the Department. The regulation applies to individuals who own or rent such telephones and provides them with the option to have their telephones fitted with a Yale control lock. This lock necessitates the insertion of a key before a ring can be produced by turning the handle of the telephone, thereby preventing unauthorized use for calling purposes while still allowing the user to receive calls and speak without interference. The regulation also applies to subscribers of telephone exchanges working on the common battery system, who can similarly have their telephones fitted with a lock requiring a key to originate conversations or answer calls. The cost for installing and maintaining the lock and providing one key is set at two shillings and sixpence per annum, with additional keys available for two shillings and sixpence each. The regulation limits the number of keys supplied for any single telephone to five. The scope of this regulation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is an amendment made under an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that it broadly applies to all eligible subscribers within its defined scope.

Key Provisions

The Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 primarily modifies Regulation 29 of the Telephone Regulations, 1913. The amendment pertains to the installation and maintenance of Yale control locks on telephones, as outlined in section 29(1). This section specifies that subscribers to telephone exchanges operated by magneto instruments or those renting magneto telephones from the Department can apply, in writing, to the Deputy Postmaster-General for their telephones to be fitted with a Yale control lock. The lock requires the insertion of a key before anyone can produce a ring by turning the handle of the telephone, thus preventing unauthorized use for calling, although it does not prevent the user from being called or interfere with speaking. Similarly, subscribers to telephone exchanges operated on the common battery system can also have their telephones fitted with a similar lock, necessitating the insertion of a key before initiating a conversation or answering a call. The regulation further stipulates the costs involved, with the charge for installing and maintaining the lock and providing one key being Two shillings and sixpence per annum, and additional keys costing Two shillings and sixpence each. The regulation limits the number of keys supplied for any telephone to five. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties governed by it include the necessity for subscribers to apply in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General for the installation of a Yale control lock on their telephones. The regulation also sets out the financial obligations involved, including the annual charge for the installation and maintenance of the lock and the provision of one key, as well as the additional cost for each subsequent key. Furthermore, it specifies that the number of keys supplied for any telephone will be limited to five, ensuring that the service provided is both secure and manageable. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Regulation may result in civil or criminal consequences, although the specific nature of these consequences is not detailed within the text. Given the context and the nature of the regulation, potential breaches could involve unauthorized use of telephone services or failure to pay the stipulated charges for the installation and maintenance of the Yale control lock. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but they could potentially be inferred from broader provisions under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 or other relevant legislation.