STATUTORY RULES.
1914. No. 179.
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PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903–1912.
Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth—Regulation 244—Amendment.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, do hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the following Regulation under the Defence Act 1903–1912 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this fourteenth day of December, One thousand nine hundred and fourteen,
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE.
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Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth.
Amendment.
Regulation 244 which reads as follows:—
“244. In the case of troops proceeding to and from camp, where over six hours’ travelling is involved, and it is necessary to provide a meal for the men or a feed for the horses, Commandants may authorize the issue of a commuted allowance at a rate not exceeding 1s. per ration per man, and 1s. 6d. per feed per horse, for each period of eight hours, but not more than three periods shall be paid for in any 24 hours.”
is cancelled, and the following substituted therefor:—
“244, In the case of troops proceeding to or from camp when it may be necessary to provide meals for men or feeds for horses, Commandants may authorize the issue of a commuted allowance to cover cost of such meals or feeds not exceeding the following:—
(a) When travelling for not less than 6 hours, 1s. per man and 1s. 6d. per horse.
(b) When travelling for not less than 14 hours, 2s. per man and 3s. per horse.
(c) When travelling for not less than 22 hours, 3s. per man and 4s. 6d. per horse (not more than 3 meals per man and 3 feeds per horse to be paid for in the same 24 hours).”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.16239.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1914, No. 179, under the Defence Act 1903–1912, introduce provisional regulations to amend the Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations were issued due to an urgent need to address the allowance for meals and feeds for troops and horses when travelling to and from camp. The policy objective of these regulations is to provide a structured and equitable method for compensating troops and their animals for meals and feeds during lengthy travel periods, ensuring that the provision of sustenance is adequately covered while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This amendment was necessary to provide a more comprehensive and flexible allowance system in response to the logistical challenges faced by the military forces.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903–1912 pertain specifically to the financial and allowance regulations for the military forces of the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to military personnel who are proceeding to and from camp and may require meals or feeds for horses during their travel, especially when the travel duration exceeds certain thresholds. Commandants of military camps are granted the authority to issue commuted allowances to cover the cost of meals or feeds, with the allowances varying according to the duration of the journey. The amended Regulation 244 outlines specific rates for these allowances based on the length of travel, ensuring that the financial support provided is commensurate with the needs of the troops and their animals. The scope of these regulations is limited to the Commonwealth military forces and does not extend to civilian personnel or other entities. The regulations operate under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, and there are no explicit exclusions or exemptions stated in the provided text, though the practical application may be subject to further clarification through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules, 1914, No. 179, involve a revision to Regulation 244 of the Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth. Regulation 244 (paragraph 244) now allows Commandants to authorize a commuted allowance for troops when travelling for extended periods, with the allowance varying based on the length of travel. For journeys of at least six hours, the allowance is set at 1 shilling per man and 1 shilling 6 pence per horse. For journeys of at least 14 hours, the allowance increases to 2 shillings per man and 3 shillings per horse. For journeys of at least 22 hours, the allowance is 3 shillings per man and 4 shillings 6 pence per horse. Importantly, no more than three meals per man or three feeds per horse can be compensated for in any 24-hour period.
Under this amended regulation, Commandants are given the discretion to issue these commuted allowances to cover the cost of meals or feeds for troops and horses during long journeys. This regulation applies specifically when it is necessary to provide meals or feeds due to the duration of travel, thereby ensuring that the troops and their horses are adequately cared for during extended travel periods. The allowance rates are tiered based on the length of travel, with the understanding that longer journeys require greater provision for sustenance.
The regulation imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Commandants are responsible for determining when it is necessary to provide meals or feeds for troops and horses during travel and for authorizing the appropriate commuted allowance accordingly. This ensures that the provisions are only issued when truly necessary and in accordance with the stipulated rates. Troops and their horses, on the other hand, must be prepared to comply with the conditions under which these allowances are issued, ensuring that they are only claimed when they have indeed travelled for the requisite duration.
While the Statutory Rules do not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach of this regulation, it is implied that any misuse or unauthorized issuance of the commuted allowance could lead to disciplinary action against the Commandants or other responsible officials. The regulation's clear stipulations regarding the allowance rates and the conditions for their issuance provide a framework within which any deviations could be considered as breaches of the regulation, potentially leading to administrative or disciplinary repercussions.