STATUTORY RULES.
1913. No. 287.
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PROVISIONAL REGULATION UNDER THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY ACT 1905.
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 Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905, namely:—
Wireless Telegraphy Regulations.
Charges,
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this fifteenth day of October, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
AGAR WYNNE.
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Wireless Telegraphy Regulations.
Charges.
Regulation 2 under this head (Statutory Rules 1911, No. 128, as amended by Statutory Rules 1912, No. 146) is repealed, and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—
2. The rates for massages so transmitted or received shall be as follows:—
(1) For ordinary messages—
(a) Coast station transmitting or receiving charge, 6d. per word.
(b) Ship station transmitting or receiving charge, not exceeding 4d. per word.
(c) Land line charges for ordinary telegrams within the Commonwealth. viz.:—
| Not exceeding 16 words. | Each additional word. |
| s. | d. | s. | d. |
Town and suburban................ | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
Other places within the State in which the wireless station is situated | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
Other States..................... | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
C.14844.—Price 3d.
(2) For press messages—
(a) Coast station transmitting or receiving charge, 1½d. per word.
(b) Ship station transmitting or receiving charge:—
Not exceeding 4d. per word, as determined by the ship authorities concerned.
(c) The land line charges for press telegrams within the Commonwealth:—
| Within the state in which the Wireless station is situated. | Other Station. |
| s. | d. | s. | d. |
Not exceeding 25 words ................... | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
Exceeding 25 words, but not exceeding 50 word.... | 0 | 9 | 1 | 6 |
Exceeding 50 words, but not exceeding 100 words.. | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
Every Additional 50 words or portion of 50 words... | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
(3) For official messages to or from ships of the British or Australia Navies:—
(a) Coast station transmitting or receiving charge, 1d. per word.
(b) There shall be no ship station charge.
(c) The land line charges for ordinary telegrams within the Commonwealth.
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations. Charges, established in 1913, serve to amend the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the need for standardised rates for wireless telegraphy services, ensuring clarity and fairness in the charges for transmitting and receiving different types of messages. The urgency and immediate implementation of these regulations were certified by the Governor-General on advice from the Federal Executive Council, highlighting the necessity to swiftly establish a regulatory framework for emerging wireless communication technologies. The overarching policy objective is to provide a structured and transparent system for the utilisation and cost allocation of wireless telegraphy services within Australia.
Scope and Application
The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations. Charges, established under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905, applies to all entities and persons involved in the transmission and reception of wireless telegraphy messages within the Commonwealth of Australia. This includes both coastal and ship stations, and the rates for message transmission and reception are clearly defined for ordinary, press, and official messages. The rates are specified per word for different types of messages and vary based on whether the transmission occurs between coast stations, ship stations, or involves land line charges within the Commonwealth. The regulation sets forth detailed pricing structures for these different categories, establishing a framework for the financial obligations associated with wireless telegraphy services. The regulation extends its application across the entire Commonwealth, ensuring uniform rates and charges are applied nationwide. Notably, this legislative instrument operates as a Provisional Regulation, coming into immediate effect due to urgency, thereby providing a temporary but comprehensive set of charges until further legislative amendments are enacted.
Key Provisions
The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations. Charges (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 287) establish the rates for messages transmitted or received via wireless telegraphy. Under this regulation, section 2 sets forth the charges for different types of messages, such as ordinary, press, and official messages. For ordinary messages, the charge is 6 pence per word for coast stations, while ship stations are charged up to 4 pence per word (Reg. 2(1)). Press messages incur a charge of 1½ pence per word for coast stations and up to 4 pence per word for ship stations, depending on the determination by ship authorities (Reg. 2(2)). Official messages to or from ships of the British or Australian Navies are charged at 1 penny per word for coast stations and have no ship station charge (Reg. 2(3)). Additionally, the regulation details land line charges for telegrams within the Commonwealth, which vary based on the number of words and the location of the wireless station.
The obligations under these regulations require wireless station operators and users to comply with the specified charges for transmitting or receiving messages. Coast stations and ship stations must adhere to the rates outlined for ordinary, press, and official messages. Users of wireless telegraphy services must also be aware of the land line charges for telegrams within the Commonwealth, which are based on the number of words and the location of the wireless station. These obligations ensure that all parties involved in the transmission and reception of wireless telegraphy messages are aware of and comply with the prescribed charges.
Breaches of these regulations may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the regulation itself, it is implied that non-compliance with the set charges could lead to legal action. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905, under which these regulations are made, may outline further penalties for non-compliance, including fines or other legal repercussions. It is essential for all parties involved in wireless telegraphy services to adhere to the specified charges to avoid any potential legal issues.