Apple Bounty Regulations 1918

Overview

The Apple Bounty Regulations 1918 were enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the Apple Bounty Act 1918. These regulations were introduced to provide a framework for the payment of bounties to apple growers whose produce was used to manufacture evaporated apples for sale to the Imperial Government. The regulations outline the process for making a claim for bounty, the conditions that must be satisfied to be eligible for the bounty, and the procedures for inspecting orchards and premises to ensure compliance with the Act. The policy objective of the Apple Bounty Act 1918 was to encourage the production of high-quality apples for the manufacture of evaporated apples, which were in high demand for military and other purposes during and after World War I. The regulations were designed to support this objective by providing a clear and efficient process for the payment of bounties to eligible growers.

Scope and Application

The Apple Bounty Regulations 1918, made under the Apple Bounty Act 1918, apply to growers and vendors involved in the production and sale of evaporated apples to the Imperial Government, ensuring compliance with the statutory conditions required for bounty eligibility. These regulations govern the process of claiming a bounty for evaporated apples deemed sold to the Imperial Government upon acceptance for shipment by the Chief Prices Commissioner. The claim for bounty must be made by the grower using a specific Treasury Form and accompanied by a detailed declaration and a certificate from the vendor. The regulations permit authorized persons to inspect orchards, premises, and factories to verify compliance with employment and wage conditions. Furthermore, if the available bounty funds are insufficient, the bounty payable to each eligible claimant is adjusted proportionally based on the total claims and available funds. These regulations extend across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a consistent approach to bounty claims and inspections.

Key Provisions

The Apple Bounty Regulations 1918 set out various provisions under the Apple Bounty Act 1918. Section 2 provides definitions for key terms used in the Regulations, such as "Bounty," "Collector," "Grower," and "The Act." Section 3 establishes that evaporated apples are deemed to have been sold to the Imperial Government if accepted for shipment by the Chief Prices Commissioner. Section 4 details the process for making a claim for bounty, which must be made on Form 9 of the Treasury Regulations and include specific particulars, such as the situation of the orchard, the quantity of apples delivered, and the name of the evaporator of the apples. This section also requires a declaration by the grower attesting to the correctness of the claim and compliance with the Act's conditions. Section 5 further outlines the declaration's requirements, which include a certification that the apples were grown using only white labour and that the wages paid were not below the standard rates for the district. Section 6 stipulates that a certificate from the vendor must accompany the claim for bounty, certifying the sale of the evaporated apples to the Imperial Government. Section 7 grants authorised persons the power to enter orchards, premises, or factories and inspect relevant books, documents, or papers to ensure compliance with the Act's conditions. Section 8 addresses the scenario where the available funds for bounty are insufficient to cover all valid claims, stipulating that each claimant shall receive a proportion of the bounty in the same ratio as the total sum available bears to the total claims. The Apple Bounty Regulations 1918 impose several obligations and requirements on the parties they govern. Growers, as defined in Section 2, must ensure that their claims for bounty, as detailed in Section 4, include accurate and complete information. This includes providing details about the orchard, the quantity of apples delivered, and the name of the evaporator. Growers must also complete a declaration, as outlined in Section 5, which attests to the correctness of the claim and compliance with the Act's conditions, including the use of white labour and payment of appropriate wages. Additionally, growers must provide a certificate from the vendor, as stipulated in Section 6, confirming the sale of the evaporated apples to the Imperial Government. Vendors, in turn, must provide this certificate to accompany the claim for bounty. Authorised persons, as mentioned in Section 7, have the right to inspect orchards, premises, or factories and relevant documents to verify compliance with the Act's conditions. The Apple Bounty Regulations 1918 outline several potential offences, penalties, and consequences for breaches. While the Regulations themselves do not explicitly state penalties, breaches of the Apple Bounty Act 1918 or the Regulations could lead to civil or criminal consequences. Given the historical context, penalties for such breaches might have included fines, imprisonment, or other forms of punishment as prescribed by relevant laws of the time. The precise penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach and any applicable legal provisions outside these Regulations. The failure to comply with the obligations to provide accurate claims, declarations, and certificates could potentially result in the forfeiture of the right to claim bounty, as well as any associated civil or criminal penalties.