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

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1913, No. 213, consist of Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903–1912, specifically addressing financial and allowance regulations for the military forces of the Commonwealth. Enacted with the urgency of addressing immediate needs, these regulations were certified by the Governor-General and commenced operation from 1 July 1913. The regulations introduce amendments to the existing provisions and add new regulations to support the financial structure of military personnel, particularly those at the Royal Military College. The policy objective of these provisional regulations is to ensure that the military forces receive appropriate financial support and allowances, thereby maintaining the efficiency and readiness of the military establishment.

Scope and Application

The Financial and Allowance Regulations (Provisional) for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, established under the Defence Act 1903–1912, apply to military personnel and staff associated with the Royal Military College. This legislation specifically addresses the remuneration for instructional staff, special duty pay for extra regimental appointments, and the allotment and occupation of quarters at the Royal Military College. It provides detailed pay scales for lecturers, assistant professors, and professors, contingent on their years of service and approval from the Commandant and the Minister, with ultimate budgetary approval by Parliament. Additionally, the regulations outline special duty pay for officers and warrant and non-commissioned officers at the Royal Military College, based on their rank and tenure, as well as provisions for quarters, including free single or married quarters for staff officers and separation allowances for warrant and non-commissioned officers whose families cannot be accommodated due to a lack of available married quarters. The regulations are applicable nationally as they pertain to the Commonwealth's military forces and the Royal Military College.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Statutory Rules 1913, No. 213, which are Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903–1912, primarily address the financial and allowance regulations for the military forces of the Commonwealth. Section 84a introduces new provisions for the pay of instructional staff at the Royal Military College. This section mandates specific salary scales for lecturers, assistant professors, and professors, which are contingent on reappointment after certain periods of service and subject to the Commandant’s recommendation, the Minister’s approval, and parliamentary provision (Regulation 84a). Regulation 86c has been amended to specify special duty pay for extra regimental appointments at the Royal Military College. It now states that Majors and higher-ranking officers receive £50, while Captains and lower-ranking officers receive £25. Additionally, warrant and non-commissioned officers of the instructional staff are entitled to £20 per annum after one year of satisfactory service (Regulation 86c). Further, Regulation 88c outlines the allotment and occupation of quarters for officers and warrant officers of the Royal Military College, granting them free single or married quarters when available, and separation allowance at the rate of 3s. per diem if married quarters are not available (Regulation 88c). The obligations imposed by these regulations are primarily on the instructional staff and administrative personnel of the Royal Military College. These personnel must adhere to the specified salary scales and conditions for increments and promotions. They must also ensure that any recommendations for salary increases are supported by the Commandant and approved by the Minister, with necessary parliamentary provisions in place (Regulation 84a). Additionally, officers and warrant officers must report for duty and be prepared to occupy the quarters provided, or to receive separation allowance if their families cannot be accommodated (Regulation 88c). In terms of consequences for breach, the legislation does not explicitly state any specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with these financial and allowance regulations. However, given the formal nature of statutory regulations, non-compliance could potentially lead to disciplinary actions under the Defence Act or other relevant legislation. The absence of specific penalties in these regulations suggests that adherence is expected to be strictly enforced through internal military administrative procedures.