Wireless Telegraphy Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations Amendment (Statutory Rules 1934, No. 99) was enacted under the authority of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1919. The objective of these regulations was to update and modernise the existing fees associated with Broadcast Listener’s Licences, ensuring that they remained fair and reflective of the service provided. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1919 was introduced by the Commonwealth Parliament to regulate the use of wireless telegraphy in Australia, and these amendments aimed to refine the administrative aspects of licensing within the Act. The new fees specified in the regulation were intended to replace the outdated fees previously set forth in Statutory Rules 1924, No. 101, and were designed to come into effect on August 6, 1934, as notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on August 9, 1934.

Scope and Application

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1934, No. 99, pertain to the administration and regulation of broadcast listener’s licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1919. These regulations apply to individuals and entities requiring a broadcast listener’s licence to operate receiving apparatus in specific geographic zones within Australia. The regulation details the fees payable for these licences, distinguishing between Zone 1 and Zone 2, with fees set at 21 shillings per annum for Zone 1 and 15 shillings per annum for Zone 2. This regulation mandates that licence fees must be paid in advance and comes into effect on August 6, 1934. The scope of the regulation is confined to the financial aspects of obtaining and renewing broadcast listener’s licences, without extending to other forms of wireless telegraphy operations or equipment. The regulation operates nationally, governed by the Commonwealth, and does not specify exclusions or exemptions beyond the stipulated fee structure. The Wireless Telegraphy Act and its subordinate instruments, such as these regulations, provide a comprehensive framework for the oversight and administration of wireless telegraphy activities within Australia.

Key Provisions

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations (C1934L00099) include a significant amendment to Regulation 77, which pertains to the fees for Broadcast Listener’s Licences. Specifically, Regulation 77(1) sets out the new fees payable for these licences, differentiating between Zone 1 and Zone 2. For Zone 1, the fee is now 21 shillings per annum, while for Zone 2, it is reduced to 15 shillings per annum. This amendment is intended to provide clearer guidelines on the financial obligations of individuals or entities seeking to obtain or renew their broadcast listener’s licences. Regulation 77(2) mandates that these licence fees must be paid in advance, ensuring that all payments are settled before the licences become effective. Finally, Regulation 77(3) specifies that these new fee structures will come into operation on the sixth day of August, 1934, as notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on the ninth of August, 1934. The obligations imposed by these regulations are straightforward. Any individual or entity seeking to obtain a Broadcast Listener’s Licence or to renew an existing one must adhere to the new fee structures outlined in Regulation 77. They must ensure that the appropriate fee, either 21 shillings for Zone 1 or 15 shillings for Zone 2, is paid in advance as per Regulation 77(2). Failure to comply with these payment requirements could result in the licence not being issued or renewed, thereby impacting the individual’s or entity’s ability to legally use wireless telegraphy services. The regulations also require that these new fee structures be implemented from the specified date, August 6, 1934, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance across the board. While the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations do not explicitly detail offences or penalties for non-compliance within the text provided, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of these regulations could lead to legal consequences. Under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1919, which these regulations are made under, there are provisions for penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for non-compliance with licensing and fee payment requirements. However, the exact nature and severity of these penalties are not detailed within the regulations themselves but would be governed by the overarching act. Individuals or entities that fail to pay the stipulated fees or otherwise do not comply with the licensing requirements could potentially face legal action, including fines or imprisonment, as stipulated by the overarching legislation.