Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1911, Number 124, introduces a Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910, specifically amending the Telephone Regulations to address a particular need regarding message delivery in the absence of a subscriber. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, the amendment aims to provide a practical solution to the problem of missed messages due to the absence of telephone subscribers. The regulation allows subscribers to pay an annual fee of 5 shillings to have a brief notice added to their entry in the Telephone List. This notice indicates that, in case of the subscriber’s non-attendance, another designated subscriber will accept the intended message on their behalf. The urgency of the amendment was recognised, warranting its immediate implementation as a Provisional Regulation.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910, specifically the amended Telephone Regulations, applies to subscribers who wish to have a brief notice inserted after their names in the Telephone List, indicating a designated person to take messages on their behalf in the event of their non-attendance. This regulation pertains to individuals or entities that use telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is administered on a national level by the Commonwealth government. The regulation provides for the payment of an annual fee of 5 shillings, thereby offering a service that ensures messages are not missed when the primary subscriber is unavailable. The amendment comes into immediate effect as a Provisional Regulation, underscoring its urgency and the need for swift implementation to address communication needs effectively. This regulation does not specify exclusions or exemptions, but it does outline the administrative process and financial requirement for availing the service, thereby extending its application to any subscriber willing to meet these conditions.

Key Provisions

The amended Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910 introduce a new provision in Regulation 24, as per Statutory Rules 1906, No. 114. Specifically, Regulation 24 is amended by adding a new paragraph that allows subscribers to have a brief notice inserted in the Telephone List. This notice indicates that in the event of the subscriber’s non-attendance at their telephone, a designated other subscriber will take the message intended for them. This addition requires the subscriber to pay an annual fee of 5 shillings in advance to avail of this service. These new provisions impose certain obligations on the parties involved. Subscribers who wish to use this service must ensure they pay the stipulated annual fee in advance. Additionally, subscribers must specify which other subscriber will take messages on their behalf. This requirement is designed to facilitate the smooth operation of message relay, ensuring that important communications are not missed due to the subscriber’s unavailability. Failure to adhere to the regulations may result in consequences. While the specific consequences are not detailed in the legislative instrument, typically, non-compliance with such provisions could lead to the denial of the service requested, such as the refusal to include the brief notice in the Telephone List. Additionally, failure to pay the required fee might result in the subscriber losing the right to have their messages relayed through another subscriber, thereby potentially missing important communications. Given the urgency of these provisions, the regulations come into immediate operation. This reflects the importance of ensuring that subscribers are promptly informed of their options and obligations regarding message relay. The provisions are designed to be implemented swiftly to avoid any disruption in the service provided by telephone exchanges.