STATUTORY RULES.
1908. No. 26.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACTS 1903-1904.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that on account of urgency the following Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this 2nd day of March, One thousand nine hundred and eight.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
THOS. EWING.
Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth.
Amendments.
In Regulation 108, insert after the word “account” in line six, the following:—“With the approval of the District Commandant, obsolete and unserviceable clothing purchased from Clothing and Corps Contingent Funds, may, after being divested of buttons, badges, facings, and patches, be sold as rags and the proceeds credited to the Clothing and Corps Contingent Account.”
In Regulation 244, insert after the word “flannelette” in line two—“the obsolete and unserviceable clothing referred to in Regulation 108.”
By Authority: J. Kemp, Government Printer, Melbourne.
c.2075.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1908, No. 26, Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903-1904, were enacted to address the urgent need for financial and allowance regulations governing the military forces of the Commonwealth. These regulations were issued on 2 March 1908 by the Governor-General, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The immediate operation of these regulations was certified due to their urgency, as evidenced by the need for efficient management of military resources. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that obsolete and unserviceable military clothing, after being divested of identifiable insignia, can be sold as rags, with the proceeds benefiting the relevant military accounts. This allows for the effective repurposing of materials that would otherwise be deemed unusable.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903-1904, specifically Statutory Rules 1908 No. 26, pertain to the financial and allowance regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth. These regulations apply to personnel within the military forces, including officers and enlisted members, and govern the handling of clothing and other provisions within the forces. The regulations detail amendments to existing provisions, particularly concerning the sale of obsolete and unserviceable clothing, which can be divested of certain insignia and then sold as rags, with the proceeds credited to the relevant account with the approval of the District Commandant. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is nationwide, as they apply to the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby impacting all military forces operating within its territories. These regulations do not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions but are inherently specific to military forces and their operations. The application and interpretation of these regulations may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1908, No. 26, primarily revolve around financial and allowance regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, with specific amendments to Regulations 108 and 244. Regulation 108 allows for the sale of obsolete and unserviceable clothing after it has been divested of buttons, badges, facings, and patches, with the proceeds credited to the Clothing and Corps Contingent Account, subject to the approval of the District Commandant (Reg. 108). Regulation 244 references the obsolete and unserviceable clothing described in Regulation 108 (Reg. 244).
These Regulations impose obligations on military personnel and relevant authorities. The District Commandant must approve the sale of obsolete and unserviceable clothing as rags, ensuring that such sales adhere to the specified criteria. Additionally, there are administrative duties to credit the proceeds from these sales to the appropriate account, maintaining transparency and accountability in financial transactions related to military clothing (Reg. 108, 244).
There are no explicit offences or penalties stated in the Provisional Regulations for breaches of these provisions. However, non-compliance with the approval requirement set by the District Commandant or failure to follow the stipulated procedures for the sale of obsolete clothing could lead to administrative consequences, including potential disciplinary actions or financial discrepancies. The absence of stated penalties does not negate the importance of adhering to the regulations, as maintaining the integrity of military financial operations is paramount (Reg. 108, 244).