STATUTORY RULES.
1916. No. 89.
PROVISIONAL REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901–1913.
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 1901–1913 should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this eighteenth day of May, One thousand nine hundred and sixteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
WILLIAM WEBSTER,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Telephone Regulations, 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 349.)
Sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 29 is repealed, and the following Sub-regulation is inserted in its stead:—
29. (1) A subscriber to a Telephone Exchange worked by magneto instruments, or a person renting a magneto telephone from the Department can, on application, in writing, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, have the telephone used by him fitted with a Yale control lock, into which it is necessary to insert a key before any person can produce a ring by turning the handle of the telephone. While the lock will prevent unauthorized use of the telephone for the purpose of calling, it will not, even in the absence of the key, prevent the user from being called, or interfere with speaking. A subscriber to a Telephone Exchange worked on the common battery system can have his telephone fitted with a similar lock, which will render it necessary to insert the key before originating a conversation or answering a call. The charge for installing and maintaining the lock and providing one key is Two shillings and sixpence per annum; additional keys may be obtained on payment of Two shillings and sixpence for each key. The number of keys which will be supplied for use in connexion with any telephone will be limited to five.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.5790.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 89, represents an amendment to the existing Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, this Provisional Regulation was introduced due to the urgent need to address issues related to the security and control of telephone usage in the early 20th century. Specifically, the regulation aims to provide subscribers of telephone exchanges operated by magneto instruments, or those renting magneto telephones from the Department, with an option to secure their telephones with a Yale control lock. This measure ensures that only individuals with the key can initiate calls, thereby preventing unauthorized use without interfering with incoming calls or communication.
The policy objective behind this amendment is to enhance the security of telephone services, thereby ensuring that only authorised users can make outgoing calls. The regulation imposes a charge for the installation and maintenance of the lock, along with the provision of keys, aiming to balance the need for security with the practical considerations of usage. This legislative intervention by the Commonwealth Government underscores a commitment to addressing technological and societal challenges of the time, specifically in the domain of communication security.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 pertains to subscribers of telephone services that are operated by magneto instruments, as well as individuals renting a magneto telephone from the Department. This regulation allows such subscribers to apply for the installation of a Yale control lock on their telephones, which requires the insertion of a key before any person can produce a ring by turning the handle of the telephone. This lock is intended to prevent unauthorized use for the purpose of making calls while still allowing the user to receive calls and engage in conversations. Similarly, subscribers to a Telephone Exchange that operates on the common battery system can also have their telephones fitted with a lock that necessitates the insertion of a key before originating a conversation or answering a call. The regulation outlines that the cost for installing and maintaining the lock and providing one key is two shillings and sixpence per annum, with additional keys available at the same rate per key. The number of keys that will be supplied for use in conjunction with any telephone is limited to five. This Provisional Regulation applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and comes into immediate operation as certified by the Governor-General, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council.
Key Provisions
The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913, introduced as Statutory Rules 1916, No. 89, primarily addresses the fitting of Yale control locks to telephones used by subscribers to Telephone Exchanges. Regulation 29, sub-regulation (1), has been replaced with a new provision. Specifically, Section 29(1) allows subscribers to telephone exchanges operated by magneto instruments or those renting magneto telephones from the Department to apply in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General for the installation of a Yale control lock on their telephones. This lock necessitates the insertion of a key before any person can produce a ring by turning the handle of the telephone, effectively preventing unauthorized use while still allowing the subscriber to be called and to speak. The same provision applies to subscribers of telephone exchanges operating on the common battery system, with the lock requiring a key for originating conversations or answering calls.
The obligations under this amended Regulation are straightforward. Subscribers who wish to have their telephones fitted with a Yale control lock must submit a written application to the Deputy Postmaster-General. Once approved, the Department will install the lock, which will require an annual charge for installation and maintenance, set at Two shillings and sixpence. Additionally, one key will be provided at the same cost, with the option to purchase additional keys at Two shillings and sixpence each. The number of keys supplied for each telephone is limited to five. The Regulation clearly outlines the procedural steps and financial responsibilities for subscribers seeking to secure their telephones with the Yale control lock.
Breach of any provisions in this Regulation could result in civil or criminal consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed within the text provided. However, given the context and nature of the regulation, non-compliance could potentially lead to actions such as fines or other penalties prescribed under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913. The maximum penalties for such breaches would likely be determined by the relevant sections of the overarching Act, which may include fines and other enforcement measures to ensure adherence to the statutory requirements.