Australian Rifle Club Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1934L00015 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1934. No. 15.

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1932.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1932.

Dated this sixth day of February, 1934.

ISAAC A. ISAACS

Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command,

JOS. FRANCIS

For Minister of State for Defence.

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Australian Rifle Club Regulations

(Statutory Rules 1931, No. 120, as amended to this date.)

Amendments.

1. Regulation 4 is amended by inserting next after the words “Cable Guard” the words “or a Wireless Telegraph Guard”;

2. Regulation 16 (1) (c) is amended by inserting next after the words “Cable Guards” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Guards”.

3. Regulation 17 is amended—

(a) in sub-regulation (1), by inserting next after the words “Cable Guards” the words “and Wireless Telegraph Guards” and

(b) in sub-regulation (2), by inserting next after the words “Cable Guards,” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Guards”; and

(c) in sub-regulation (3.), by—

(i) inserting next after the words “Cable Guards” the words “and Wireless Telegraph Guards”; and

(ii) inserting next after the words “Cable Stations” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Stations”; and

(d) in sub-regulation (4), by inserting next after the words “Cable Guards” the words “and Wireless Telegraph Guards”; and

246.—Price 3d.

(e) in sub-regulation (5.), by—

(i) inserting next after the words “Cable Guards” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Guards”; and

(ii) inserting next after the words “any Cable Guard” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Guard” and

(iii) deleting the words “that Cable Guard” and substituting the words “that Guard”; and

(f) in sub-regulation (6) by inserting next after the words, “Cable Guards” the words “or a Wireless Telegraph Guard”.

4. Regulation 19 is amended by deleting sub-regulation (2.) and substituting the following sub-regulation:—

“(2.) Where a member undertakes to serve in a Cable Guard or a Wireless Telegraph Guard the words “Cable Guard” or “Wireless Telegraph Guard” as the case may be shall be inserted in brackets in the form of oath or affirmation, immediately after the words ‘Australian Rifle Clubs’”

5. Regulation-34 (3) is amended by inserting next after the words “Cable Guard” the words “or a Wireless Telegraph Guard”.

6. Regulation 36 (5) is amended by inserting next after the words “Cable Guards” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Guards”.

7. Regulation 40 is amended by inserting next after the words “Cable Guard” the words “and Wireless Telegraph Guard”.

8. Regulation 41 is amended—

(a) in paragraph (c), by inserting next after the words, “Cable Guard” the words “and Wireless Telegraph Guard” and

(b) in paragraph (d) by inserting next after the word “Cable Guard” the words “or a Wireless Telegraph Guard”.

9. Regulation 43 (a) is amended by inserting, next after the words “Cable Guards” the words “and Wireless Telegraph Guards”.

10. Regulation 49 is amended by deleting sub-regulation (3.) and substituting the following sub-regulation—

“(3) Where it is necessary to reconstruct after or repair any existing rifle range a grant not exceeding £75 may be made for the purpose.

Provided that—

(a) the aggregate of any grants made under this sub-regulation, in respect of one rifle range, shall not exceed £75 in any period of ten years; and

(b) where the cost of any reconstruction, alteration or repair is estimated to exceed £10, an Inspector of Rifle Ranges, or other qualified person, shall, report in writing his opinion on the probable cost of the reconstruction, alteration or repair.”

11. Regulation 60 is amended by adding at the end of sub-regulation (l) the following words:—

“: Provided that, in the case of Regimental Rifle Clubs, the Commanding Officer shall certify to the correctness of the entries in the authorized form and the statutory declaration shall be omitted.”

12. Regulation 61 is amended by inserting next after the words “Cable Guard” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Guard”.

13. Regulation 64 is amended by inserting next after the words “Cable Guard” the words “or Wireless Telegraph Guard”.

14. Regulation 78 is repealed and the following regulation substituted:—

“78. In each Military District there shall be established District Rifle Club Unions for the encouragement of rifle shooting.

District Rifle Club Unions shall be subject to such Standing Orders and instructions as may be issued from time to time by the Military Board.”

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By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Australian Rifle Club Regulations, published as Statutory Rules 1934, No. 15, under the Defence Act 1903-1932, aim to amend existing regulations governing the operations and activities of rifle clubs within Australia. These regulations were introduced by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council to address the need for updating the existing framework to incorporate advancements in communication technology, specifically wireless telegraphy, into the defence and operational protocols of Australian Rifle Clubs. The objective is to ensure that the activities of these clubs are in line with modern defence requirements while maintaining their role in promoting rifle shooting and training.

Scope and Application

The Australian Rifle Club Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1932 apply to the management and operations of Australian Rifle Clubs, including their affiliated Cable and Wireless Telegraph Guards, across the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations primarily govern the conduct of these clubs and guards in terms of their membership, oaths, financial grants for range repairs, and the establishment of District Rifle Club Unions to foster rifle shooting. The scope of these regulations extends to individuals who are members of these clubs and guards as well as the entities that constitute these clubs and guards themselves. The amendments to these regulations adjust the terminology to include Wireless Telegraph Guards and Stations, expanding the scope of their application to encompass both Cable and Wireless Telegraph infrastructure. This legislative instrument provides a structured framework for the administration of these clubs and guards, ensuring they align with the defence objectives of the Commonwealth. Any exclusions or exemptions from these regulations are not explicitly stated in the provided text, implying that the regulations apply broadly within their defined scope unless otherwise specified in subordinate instruments or additional legislative provisions.

Key Provisions

The Australian Rifle Club Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1932 primarily involve amendments to several sections concerning Cable Guards and Wireless Telegraph Guards. Regulation 4 introduces the term "Wireless Telegraph Guard" alongside "Cable Guard" (1). Regulation 16 expands on this by including "Wireless Telegraph Guards" in the duties and responsibilities previously attributed to "Cable Guards" (16(1)(c)). Further amendments to Regulations 17, 19, 34, 36, 40, 41, 43, 49, 60, 61, 64, and 78 ensure that both Cable Guards and Wireless Telegraph Guards are uniformly incorporated into the operational framework of rifle clubs and military districts (17, 19, 34(3), 36(5), 40, 41, 43(a), 49, 60, 61, 64, 78). These amendments reflect a broader integration of wireless telegraphy into the existing defence structure. The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on parties and entities it governs, including the Australian Rifle Clubs. These clubs must now include Wireless Telegraph Guards in their oaths and affirmations when members undertake service in such capacities (19(2)). Additionally, the Commanding Officers of Regimental Rifle Clubs must certify the correctness of entries in authorised forms, bypassing the requirement for a statutory declaration (60). Furthermore, District Rifle Club Unions are mandated to be established in each Military District to encourage rifle shooting, subject to the Military Board's Standing Orders and instructions (78). These provisions ensure that the integration of Wireless Telegraph Guards is not only acknowledged but also regulated effectively. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in various consequences. While the document does not specify explicit criminal or civil penalties, non-compliance with the requirements to include Wireless Telegraph Guards in oaths and affirmations, or omitting the necessary certifications, could lead to disciplinary actions or other administrative penalties as deemed appropriate by the Military Board. Additionally, any misuse of grants for rifle range reconstruction or repairs exceeding the specified limits could result in financial repercussions or further scrutiny. The overarching intent is to maintain the integrity and operational efficacy of the defence infrastructure, including both Cable Guards and Wireless Telegraph Guards.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.