Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1913, Number 220, introduces a Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910, specifically addressing telephone regulations related to telephone exchanges. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this regulation aims to amend existing telephone regulations to clarify the applicability of certain provisions to country district lines. The urgency of this amendment is underscored by its immediate implementation, as evidenced by the certification provided by the Governor-General, Denman, on 25 July 1913. This legislative instrument seeks to resolve ambiguities and provide a more defined scope for the regulation of telephone exchanges in country districts, ensuring that the provisions apply appropriately unless otherwise directed by the Postmaster-General.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910, specifically the amended Telephone Regulations pertaining to telephone exchanges, applies to country district lines erected under the provisions of Parts XIV or XV of these Regulations, unless otherwise permitted by the Postmaster-General. The regulation is designed to ensure that the specified provisions of sub-regulation (6) are strictly adhered to for these particular lines. The scope of this legislation is primarily focused on the geographic application, targeting country districts within the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a national regulation that is intended to standardise and regulate the establishment and operation of telephone exchanges in these areas. The regulation’s intent is to provide a clear framework for the Postmaster-General to manage and oversee these activities, ensuring that any deviations from the standard provisions are duly authorised. The regulation itself is a provisional measure, effective immediately, highlighting the urgency and national importance of its implementation.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Provisional Regulations, specifically the amended Regulation 27 under Part I, concern telephone exchanges and their operations. Regulation 27(6) has been updated to clarify that its provisions apply only to country district lines constructed under Parts XIV or XV of these Regulations, unless the Postmaster-General grants an exception (C1913L00220). This amendment ensures that the specific conditions governing telephone lines in rural areas are properly delineated and enforced. The obligations and requirements imposed by these Regulations on the parties or entities they govern include adhering to the provisions outlined for country district lines as specified in Parts XIV and XV. These sections likely detail the technical and operational standards that must be met for telephone lines in these areas. The Postmaster-General retains the authority to make exceptions to these rules, which allows for flexibility in certain circumstances. This means that entities must ensure compliance with these standards unless expressly permitted otherwise by the Postmaster-General. There are no explicit offences or penalties mentioned in the provided text of the Provisional Regulation itself. However, non-compliance with the amended Regulation 27 could potentially lead to enforcement actions under the broader Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1910, which might include fines or other administrative penalties. The specific consequences would depend on how the overarching act addresses breaches of its regulations. The amended Regulation underscores the importance of adhering to specified standards for telephone lines in country districts, thereby highlighting the potential for serious repercussions for non-compliance.