Wireless Telegraphy Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations of 1912 were enacted as a statutory instrument to amend existing regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for an efficient and regulated method of transmitting shipping intelligence via wireless telegraphy to owners or agents of vessels at sea. The regulation was established by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the legislative authority vested in the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective behind this regulation was to ensure that vital maritime information could be promptly and accurately conveyed, thereby enhancing maritime safety and operational efficiency. This amendment required that any such information received by authorised wireless stations be transmitted by telephone to the relevant parties for a specified fee, thereby providing a practical solution to the logistical challenges of maritime communication in the early 20th century.

Scope and Application

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, which were amended by Statutory Rules 1912 No. 212, apply to all wireless stations operating within the Commonwealth of Australia and pertain to the transmission of shipping intelligence by telephone. Specifically, these regulations govern the communication of information received from vessels at sea, such as their noon or midnight positions, which is to be transmitted by telephone to the vessel’s owners or agents upon payment of a fee. The regulations are designed to ensure that such information is disseminated efficiently and economically, with a stipulated fee of Sixpence per communication. The scope of these regulations is limited to the Commonwealth and does not extend to state or territory jurisdictions unless otherwise specified in subordinate legislation. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned in these regulations, and they apply uniformly across all authorised wireless stations within the Commonwealth. Additionally, these regulations can be further extended or restricted through subsequent amendments or subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905.

Key Provisions

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1912 No. 212, introduce a new provision concerning the transmission of shipping intelligence by telephone (Regulation 1). Specifically, this regulation mandates that information about the noon or midnight position of vessels at sea, received at an authorised wireless station within the Commonwealth, must be communicated to the vessel's owners or agents via telephone (Regulation 1(1)). This communication service comes at a cost, requiring the payment of sixpence per communication (Regulation 1(2)). Under these regulations, the obligations primarily fall on the authorised wireless stations. They are required to receive and process the shipping intelligence from vessels at sea and ensure it is accurately communicated to the relevant parties. Additionally, they must collect the prescribed fee of sixpence per communication as stipulated in the regulation. The owners or agents of the vessels, on the other hand, must be prepared to pay this fee to receive the shipping intelligence. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance could lead to administrative actions under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905. This might include fines or other penalties as prescribed by the relevant authorities. The exact nature and extent of these penalties would depend on the specific provisions of the Wireless Telegraphy Act and any subsequent amendments or related legislation.