Control of Trade in War Time Act 1914 (WA)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

ANNO QUINTO

G EORGII QUINT I REGIS,

V.

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No. 5 of 1914.

AN ACT to regulate the Sale of the Neces-

saries of Life during War.

[Assented to 8th August, 1914.]

E it enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and

with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and

Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, in this present Par-

liament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :—

1.     This Act may be cited as The Control of Trade in War Time Act. Short title.

2.     In this Act the following terms have the meanings stated :— Interpretation.

" Necessaries of life "—such products, goods, chattels, and

things as the Governor may by proclamation declare to

be necessaries of life for the purposes of this Act.

" Personal requirements."—The requirements of any person for not exceeding three months for the domestic use of himself, his family, dependents, and servants, and of his domestic animals.

3.      This Act shall have operation only during such period as the Operation of Aot.

Governor may from time to time by proclamation declare, when a state of war exists between the United Kingdom and some other Power.

1914, No. 5.] Control of Trade in War Time. [5 GEO. V.

of necessaries. the Governor is hereby authorised to appoint) may, by Order in Power to fix prices 4. The Governor, on the advice of a Royal Commission (which

Council fix the maximum prices that may be lawfully charged for the necessaries of life.

Obligation to sell. 5. No person having in his possession or power any necessaries

of life in excess of his personal requirements shall refuse to sell and deliver the same to any other person on demand, and on payment or tender of a price so fixed.

Penalty ; £1,000 ; or imprisonment for not exceeding twelve

months.

Power to seize. 0. On the conviction of any person under the last preceding

section, it shall be lawful for the Colonial Treasurer and all persons acting with his authority to seize, take possession of, carry away, and dispose of any necessaries of life in the possession or power of the offender, and for such purpose to enter upon any premises in which such necessaries of life may be or be supposed to be, and to use such force as may be necessary, subject only to the payment of maximum prices so fixed as aforesaid.

Corners and	7. No person shall buy up or store the necessaries of life with
restrictions

prohibited. intent to raise the prices thereof or to prevent free circulation thereof ; or, without the consent in writing of the Colonial Treasurer, export the necessaries of life to any place beyond the limits of the Commonwealth.

Penalty : £1,000; or imprisonment for twelve months.

Power to enter 0. Any Police Officer acting with the authority of the

premises. Commissioner, or an Inspector, or Sub-Inspector of the Police Force, and any other person acting with the authority of the Colonial Treasurer may enter and search any premises upon which such Police Officer or person believes that any necessaries of life are kept contrary to the provisions of this Act.

Alders and abettors. 9.

Whoever aids, abets, counsels, or procures, or by act or omission is in any way directly or indirectly concerned in the commission of any offence against this Act shall be deemed to have committed such offence and shall be punishable accordingly.

Proof. 10.

In every prosecution under this Act an averment of the

prosecutor contained in the information or complaint shall be

deemed to be proved in the absence of proof to the contrary.

Fiat of Attorney 11. iN o prosecution under this Act shall be commenced with-

General. out the authority in writing of the Attorney General first obtained.

By Authority: FRED. Wm. SIMPSON, Government Printer, Perth.