Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924

Overview

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924 was enacted to impose charges on the export of specific dried fruits from Australia, namely dried currants, dried sultanas, and dried lexias. The Act was assented to on 20th October, 1924, by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation was designed to address the need for a financial mechanism to regulate and monitor the export of these particular dried fruits. The Act authorises the Governor-General to levy a charge on the export of these dried fruits, with the primary objective of generating revenue and enabling oversight of the export process through the collection of these charges. The Act provides for the possibility of varying the charge rate through regulations, subject to the advice of the Dried Fruits Control Board, as established under the Dried Fruits Export Control Act 1924.

Scope and Application

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924 applies to the exportation of specific dried fruits from the Commonwealth of Australia, namely dried currants, dried sultanas, and dried lexias. This Act imposes and mandates the levying and payment of a charge on these specified dried fruits exported from the Commonwealth after the effective date set by a subsequent proclamation. The primary rate of the charge is set at one-eighth of a penny for each pound of the dried fruits exported, although the Governor-General has the authority to establish a lower rate through regulations. All charges are to be paid to the Collector of Customs before the entry of the dried fruits for export. The Act also allows for the extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, such as regulations made by the Governor-General upon the advice of the Dried Fruits Control Board, and it remains in force until the Governor-General fixes a termination date by proclamation. This legislative framework aims to regulate the export charges of these particular dried fruits within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924, primarily, imposes a charge on the export of specified dried fruits from the Commonwealth (section 3). The act mandates that a charge is levied on all dried fruits, which are defined as dried currants, dried sultanas, and dried lexias, exported after a date determined by Proclamation (section 2). The standard rate for this charge is set at one-eighth of a penny per pound of dried fruits exported, although the regulations may specify a lower rate (section 3(2)). All moneys due from this charge must be paid to the Collector of Customs before the dried fruits are entered for export (section 3(3)). The Act imposes several obligations on parties involved in the export of dried fruits. Exporters must ensure that the charge is paid to the Collector of Customs prior to the export entry of the fruits (section 3(3)). Additionally, the Governor-General is empowered to make regulations that may prescribe a lower rate for the charge, following a report from the Dried Fruits Control Board established under the Dried Fruits Export Control Act 1924 (section 4). Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act could result in various legal consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties, the non-payment of the charge could potentially be considered a breach of the statutory requirement. Typically, such breaches might lead to enforcement actions by the Collector of Customs or other relevant authorities. The absence of explicit penalties in the Act itself suggests that the consequences would be aligned with general legislative compliance mechanisms, which could include fines or other administrative actions as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities.