Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1913, No. 177, amending the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, was enacted to address the need for clearer communication of which departments of businesses were accessible via telephone lines. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General in Council and aimed to introduce a provision allowing businesses to pay an annual fee to have additional information added to their telephone listings. This small yet significant amendment sought to enhance the utility of telephone directories by providing more detailed information, thereby improving communication efficiency and accessibility for users. The regulation came into operation on 12 July 1913, with the amendment to Regulation 23 under Part I – Telephone Exchanges, allowing for the insertion of additional details such as departmental accessibility, subject to the Deputy Postmaster-General's approval.

Scope and Application

The amended Telephone Regulations, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, apply to all telephone exchanges within the Commonwealth of Australia. These Regulations are concerned with the operations of telephone exchanges and specifically address the insertion of additional information on telephone directories, such as details of various departments within businesses. The regulation permits such additions to be made, subject to the approval of the Deputy Postmaster-General, and requires payment of an annual fee of Five shillings per line or part thereof. This amendment aims to provide more comprehensive information to the public while ensuring the regulation and oversight by the Deputy Postmaster-General. The scope of these Regulations is limited to the Commonwealth and do not extend to state or territory jurisdictions. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the text of the Regulation itself; however, its application can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, specifically Regulation 23, introduces provisions regarding telephone exchanges. Sub-regulation (2) now allows for the insertion of additional matter, such as a statement showing which departments of a business are accessible over any telephone line, subject to approval by the Deputy Postmaster-General. This amendment is subject to the payment of an annual fee of five shillings per line or part thereof. Entities and businesses utilizing telephone lines are now required to seek approval from the Deputy Postmaster-General to include supplementary information, such as details of accessible business departments. This approval process ensures that any additional matter complies with regulatory standards and does not disrupt the operation of telephone services. Payment of the specified annual fee is mandatory for each telephone line or part thereof on which additional information is to be displayed. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the amended Regulation may result in penalties. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance with the regulatory provisions and payment obligations could lead to enforcement actions. The consequences of such breaches might include fines, service interruptions, or other administrative penalties deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910.