STATUTORY RULES.
1912. No. 186.
PROVISIONAL REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1910.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 namely:—
Telephone Regulations.
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provision Regulation.
Dated this fourth day of September, One thousand nine hundred and twelve.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. FINDLEY.
Telephone Regulations.
Regulation 52 under this head (Statutory Rules, 1911, No. 215) is amended by repealing Sub-regulation (1) and inserting in its stead the following Sub-regulation:—
(1) Subscribers to Telephone Exchanges may use the trunk lines when required, by paying the trunk line fees prescribed by Regulation 51 for each connexion of three minutes duration or fraction thereof, if a sum of money equal to their estimated requirements for one mouth, but not less than Five shillings, be deposited in advance. Provided, however, that any subscriber, not being a depositor, desiring to speak over a trunk line without attending at a public telephone, may lodge at the General Post Office or at the Exchange to which he is connected, the prescribed fee for a single call, which call must be effected within twenty-four hours of the payment. When accounts are rendered reimbursements must be promptly made. No connexion will be made after notification that the advance has been exhausted until such advance has been renewed.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Acting Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.12537.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1912, No. 186, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, pertains to the Provisional Regulation of Telephone Regulations. Enacted by the Governor-General on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Federal Executive Council, these regulations were established due to the urgency of revising the existing telephone services' financial structure to better accommodate the needs of subscribers. The policy objective outlined in the regulations is to allow subscribers to use trunk lines by either paying a predetermined fee for a set period or making an advance deposit, with provisions for reimbursements and limitations on usage after the advance is exhausted. This legislative instrument reflects an effort to streamline and modernise the payment structure for telephone services to ensure efficient and equitable access for all subscribers.
Scope and Application
The Telephone Regulations, enacted under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, primarily govern the use of trunk lines for subscribers to telephone exchanges within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to any individual or entity that wishes to connect via trunk lines, stipulating that subscribers must deposit an advance payment, not less than five shillings, to cover their estimated requirements for a month. This regulation allows subscribers to use trunk lines for calls of three minutes duration or fractions thereof, with additional fees for each connection. The regulation also provides a provision for subscribers who do not wish to deposit an advance payment to pay a prescribed fee for a single call, which must be used within twenty-four hours. This regulation applies nationally across the Commonwealth, ensuring consistent standards and practices for the use of trunk lines in telecommunications. The regulation also specifies that reimbursements must be promptly made when accounts are rendered, and it sets a condition where no connection will be made after notification that the advance payment has been exhausted until it is renewed. The regulation's reach is governed under the authority of the Governor-General, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and is intended to come into immediate operation.
Key Provisions
The amended Telephone Regulations (Statutory Rules 1912, No. 186) introduce significant changes to the use of trunk lines by subscribers to telephone exchanges. Regulation 52, in particular, specifies the conditions under which subscribers may use trunk lines. Under the new sub-regulation (1), subscribers must deposit a sum of money, not less than five shillings, in advance to use trunk lines. This sum should cover their estimated requirements for one month. The subscriber will then be charged trunk line fees as prescribed by Regulation 51 for each connection lasting three minutes or a fraction thereof. The regulation also provides an alternative for subscribers who do not wish to deposit an advance sum but still need to make a single call over a trunk line. Such subscribers can pay the prescribed fee at the General Post Office or the exchange to which they are connected, with the condition that the call must be made within 24 hours of the payment. Moreover, when accounts are rendered, reimbursements must be made promptly, and no connection will be made once the advance has been exhausted unless it is renewed.
The amended regulations impose several obligations on subscribers and the postal administration. Subscribers must ensure that they either deposit the required advance sum or pay the prescribed fee for a single call if they choose not to deposit an advance. This requirement ensures that the postal administration can manage and allocate resources effectively while maintaining the operational integrity of the telephone service. Additionally, subscribers must settle their accounts promptly when reimbursements are due. The postal administration, on the other hand, is obligated to notify subscribers when their advance has been exhausted and to ensure that no further connections are made until the advance is renewed. These obligations are crucial for maintaining a reliable and efficient communication network.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the amended Telephone Regulations can result in various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the excerpt provided, it is implied that non-compliance with the financial obligations or failure to renew deposits could lead to service disruptions. In broader legal contexts, such breaches might attract administrative penalties, fines, or other civil consequences. Additionally, if the non-compliance affects the overall service delivery, it could potentially lead to criminal charges under related statutes, although this is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. The exact nature and severity of the penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and any applicable laws or regulations beyond the scope of this excerpt.