Berry Fruit-growers' Relief Act 1941

Overview

The Berry Fruit-growers' Relief Act 1941 was enacted to address the specific economic difficulties faced by berry fruit-growers in Tasmania due to crop damage caused by frost or hail. Assented to on 7 April 1941, the Act authorises the Commonwealth to provide financial assistance to the State of Tasmania in the form of loans, with a total limit of £20,000. This legislation was designed to facilitate the alleviation of hardship experienced by berry fruit-growers, through agreements between the Commonwealth and the State. The Act ensures that loans are to be repaid over a period of up to seven years, with interest at a rate of 3¼ per cent per annum. Additionally, the Act allows for the Commonwealth to make additional interest payments to Tasmania to further support the relief efforts. Enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the policy objective of the Berry Fruit-growers' Relief Act 1941 is to provide necessary financial aid to mitigate the adverse effects of crop damage on berry fruit-growers in Tasmania.

Scope and Application

The Berry Fruit-growers’ Relief Act 1941 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically empowering the Treasurer to make loans to the State of Tasmania. The primary purpose of this Act is to provide financial assistance to berry fruit-growers in Tasmania who have suffered crop damage due to frost or hail. The Act authorises the Commonwealth to extend loans up to a total of twenty thousand pounds, which are to be repaid by Tasmania in four equal annual payments, with interest at a rate of three and one quarter per centum per annum. Furthermore, the Act allows for additional payments to Tasmania during the first year and the subsequent six years, not exceeding the annual interest on the loan. This Act comes into effect on the day it receives Royal Assent and is intended to provide immediate financial relief to affected growers. The Act’s scope is limited to the specified loans and does not extend to other forms of assistance or relief outside the terms outlined in the Act.

Key Provisions

The Berry Fruit-growers’ Relief Act 1941 (section 1) authorises the Commonwealth to provide financial assistance to the State of Tasmania for the benefit of berry fruit-growers affected by crop damage due to frost or hail. The Act came into effect immediately upon receiving Royal Assent (section 2). Under section 3, the Treasurer is empowered to make loans up to a total of £20,000 to Tasmania, subject to agreements between the Commonwealth and the State, to alleviate the hardship faced by berry fruit-growers. The loans are to be repaid by Tasmania in four equal annual instalments, with the first payment due no later than four years after the loan is made and the final payment due no later than seven years after the loan (section 4(1)). Additionally, Tasmania is required to pay interest on the loans at a rate of 3.25% per annum (section 4(2)). The Act imposes specific obligations on the State of Tasmania. Tasmania must repay the loans in four equal annual instalments and pay interest at the prescribed rate (section 4). The Commonwealth has the discretion to provide additional payments to Tasmania in the form of interest rebates. Specifically, the Commonwealth can pay the full interest due for the first year following the loan and half of the interest for each of the next six years (section 5). This provision is intended to provide further financial relief to Tasmania during the early years of the loan repayment period. Failure to comply with the obligations and conditions stipulated in the Berry Fruit-growers’ Relief Act 1941 may have legal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the terms regarding loan repayment and interest payment could potentially lead to legal actions for non-performance of contractual obligations. Additionally, the Act’s appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (section 6) ensures that the financial provisions are legally binding and enforceable within the framework of Australian legislative and financial governance.