Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1916 No. 318, titled "Regulations Under the Defence Act 1903–1915 – Financial and Allowance Regulation for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth," was enacted to address the financial needs of military personnel during the First World War. This legislative instrument was made under the authority of the Governor-General in Council, as part of the Defence Act 1903–1915, to ensure that military forces received adequate compensation for their service, particularly during periods of extended training. The specific amendment introduced in this regulation provides for extra duty pay at the rate of 1 shilling and 6 pence per day for warrant and non-commissioned officers of the Instructional Staff who attend continuous training camps for more than sixteen days. This amendment aimed to provide financial support and recognition for the extended service of these personnel, effective from 1 July 1916, reflecting a policy objective to adequately compensate military staff for their duties during the war.

Scope and Application

The Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, as amended by Statutory Rules 1916 No. 318, apply to warrant and non-commissioned officers of the Instructional Staff who are employed at Camps of Continuous Training for Citizen Forces. These Regulations, enacted under the Defence Act 1903-1915, are applicable during the period of war and provide for the payment of extra duty pay at a rate of 1s. 6d per diem to those members who attend the camp for more than sixteen consecutive days. The amendment to Regulation 75, effective from 1 July 1916, is a direct response to the exigencies of wartime and is intended to ensure that personnel adequately engaged in training are appropriately compensated for their extended service. This legislative instrument underscores the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting military personnel during periods of conflict, ensuring their welfare and motivation in fulfilling their duties.

Key Provisions

The key provision of this legislative instrument is the amendment to Regulation 75 of the Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth (sub-paragraph (d)). This amendment introduces a new stipulation that during the period of war, warrant and non-commissioned officers of the Instructional Staff who are employed at Camps of Continuous Training for Citizen Forces may be eligible for extra duty pay at the rate of 1s. 6d per diem, provided they attend the camp for a period exceeding sixteen days continuously (Regulation 75(d)). This amendment came into effect from 1 July 1916, as specified in the document. These regulations impose specific obligations on the military forces, particularly those officers employed in the Instructional Staff at the camps. They are required to ensure that they meet the attendance criteria of more than sixteen consecutive days at the camp in order to be eligible for the extra duty pay. This stipulation is a clear condition that needs to be fulfilled for the benefit of the additional financial compensation. Failure to comply with the conditions set out in Regulation 75(d) may result in the officers not being eligible for the extra duty pay. However, the document does not explicitly outline any offences, penalties, or specific legal consequences for breach of these regulations. The focus is primarily on the entitlement criteria and the commencement date of the amendment, without detailing the repercussions for non-compliance.