Military Financial Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1938L00096 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1938. No. 96.

––––––

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1934.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1934.

Dated this nineteenth

day of October          , 1938.

(SGD.) GOWRIE.

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Defence.

 

Amendments of the Military Financial Regulations.

Militia Adjutants.

1. Regulation 146 of the Military Financial Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (vi) the words “Assistant Adjutant” and inserting in their stead the words “officer of the Militia Forces”.

Hire of motor vehicles, motor cycles and bicycles.

2. Regulation 157 of the Military Financial Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (iii) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

“(iii) Where a motor vehicle, motor cycle or bicycle is damaged whilst under military control, and where the damage occurs during, and is directly attributable to, military operations, the Commonwealth shall be liable for the payment to the owner of such amount as is necessary to enable repairs to be reasonably effected, subject to such conditions as are laid down by the Military Board.”.

Issues to be in kind according to scales.

3. Regulation 234 of the Military Financial Regulations is amended by omitting the words “the scales herein laid down” and inserting in their stead the words “this Part”.

4. Regulation 235 of the Military Financial Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Responsibility of formation &c., commanders.

“235. (i) The scales of fuel and light prescribed in this Part shall be deemed to cover total requirements, and savings in any service mentioned may be applied to meet deficiencies in any other service.

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on       , 1938.

Statutory Rules 1935, No. 83, as amended by Statutory Rules 1935, Nos. 102 and 123; 1936, Nos. 1, 32, 62, 75, 98. 111, 122, 144 and 158; 1937, Nos. 1, 22, 29, 42, 71, 76, 96 and 113;  and 1938, Nos. 11, 15, 45, 76, and 89.

5122.—25/4.10.1938.—Price 3d.


(ii) Every formation, &c., commander shall take such action as is necessary to ensure that fuel and light are economically used and fairly distributed within his command.”.

5. Regulation 236 of the Military Financial Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Accounting.

“236. Fuel and light shall be accounted for in such manner as is determined by the Military Board.”.

District Base Commandants to authorize fireplaces, lamps and power points in quarters, barracks, &c.

6. Regulation 239 of the Military Financial Regulations is amended:—

(a) by omitting the symbol and letter “&c.” (first occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “or heating units”; and

(b) by omitting the words “and lamps, &c”, and inserting in their stead the words “, lamps, power points or heating units ”.

7. Regulation 241 of the Military Financial Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Scale of fuel issues.

“241. (i) The following shall be the daily scales of fuel for barracks and administrative offices. Scale No. 1 shall be applied where heating is by coal or wood and Scale No. 2 where heating is by gas or electric appliances:—

 

Scale No. 1.

Scale No. 2.

 

 

Quantity of coal for each authorized fireplace.

Daily hours of use for each authorized heating unit.

 

Service.

Remarks.

 

Winter.

Summer.

Winter.

Summer.

 

 

lb.

lb.

 

 

 

Single Officers’ quarters

20

..

2

..

Only for number of days for which deduction from members’ pay is made for occupation of quarters

Officers’ Mess rooms (excluding bathrooms)

30

..

5

..

Heating only

Officers’ Mess bath Rooms

30

30

2

2

Hot water and baths only

 

Officers’ Mess kitchens

50

50

10

10

For cooking purposes only when deductions from pay are made for cooked rations

Single Warrant and Non- commissioned Officers’ quarters

20

..

2

..

 

 

 

Sergeants’ Mess rooms (excluding bathrooms)

30

..

5

..

Heating only

Sergeants’ Mess bathrooms

30

30

2

2

Hot water and baths only

Sergeants’ Mess kitchens

50

50

10

10

For cooking purposes only when deductions from pay are made for cooked rations


 

Scale No. 1.

Scale No. 2.

 

Service.

Quantity of coal for each authorized fireplace.

Daily hours of use for each authorized heating unit.

Remarks.

 

Winter.

Summer.

Winter.

Summer.

 

 

lb.

lb.

 

 

 

Recreation, library, gymnasium and billiard rooms (but not canteens)

50

..

4

..

In case of gymnasium rooms, fuel shall be approved by a District Base Commandant only when he considers it absolutely necessary. Not applicable to rooms set apart for use exclusively by officers or sergeants. Such rooms are provided for as ‘officers’ mess rooms’ or ‘sergeants’ mess rooms’ respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barrack rooms......

50

30

5

2

Heating and baths only

Detachments.......

75

35

7

3

For all purposes—one fire only

Workshop (tailors)...

25

25

3

3

When required

Offices...........

30

..

8

..

 

Court Martial or Court of Inquiry rooms 

25

..

6

..

Each day of sitting only

 

 

 

 

Musketry lecture or board rooms 

25

..

6

..

When used only

 

 

 

 

Stores for clothing, bedding, arms, accoutrements, and other articles subject to deterioration by damp

25

25

6

6

When required only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gun parks, wagon sheds, harness rooms and shelter sheds

25

..

6

..

When required only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hospitals, surgeries and cells

50

25

10

5

As ordered by the Medical Officer

 

 

 

 

Men’s kitchens......

50

50

10

10

For cooking purposes only when deductions from pay are made for cooked rations

Guard rooms.......

112

40

24

6

Summer fuel is for cooking when done on guard

(ii) In cases where coal or coke is issued, firewood in not less than 1-ft. billets for kindling purposes may be also issued at the rate of 1 lb. of wood for each 40 lb. of coal or coke.”.

8. Regulation 242 of the Military Financial Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Gas or electricity used in lieu of coal or coke for heating.

“242. (i) Where gas or electricity is used the following methods shall be applied in determining the authorized daily consumption under Scale No. 2 in the last preceding regulation:—

(a) Gas—The hourly rate of consumption for each authorized heating unit shall be determined by check of meter;


(b) Electricity—The rate of consumption for each authorized heating unit shall be determined in kilowatt hours by check of meter; and

(c) In either case the authorized daily rate shall be ascertained by multiplying the hourly rate of consumption by the number of hours shown in the appropriate column of Scale No. 2 in the last preceding regulation.

(ii) When consumption of gas or electricity in officers’ messes, sergeants’ messes or recreation, library, gymnasium, and billiard rooms, exceeds the quantities authorized by the last preceding regulation, the cost of the excess consumption shall be paid for by the mess or individuals concerned.”.

9. Regulation 246 of the Military Financial Regulations is repealed.

10. Regulation 247 of the Military Financial Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Issues of fuel and light in camps of training.

“247. For all Militia Force camps and schools or courses of instruction, for other schools and courses held in hutments or under canvas, and for other camps held under canvas, the scales of fuel and light shall be as follows:—

Fuel.—6 lb. of fuel wood in not less than 1-ft. billets per day for each officer, soldier and civilian on the ration strength. If other fuel is drawn in lieu, the value of the fuel so drawn shall not exceed the value of the fuel wood that may be drawn under this regulation. Where, owing to unavoidable circumstances, more fuel than is authorized by this Regulation is consumed at any camp, school or course, the cost of any excess not exceeding 3 lb. of fuel wood per day for each officer, soldier or civilian may be borne as a charge to public funds, subject to the approval of the District Finance Officer and the concurrence of the formation, &c., commander. The scale shall not be otherwise varied except with the approval of the Military Board.

Light.—Oil, 2 pints (or candles, 14 oz.) per week for each lamp or lantern authorized. Wick, 4½  inches per gallon of oil.”.

Special fuel issues.

11. Regulation 248 of the Military Financial Regulations is amended by omitting sub-paragraph (c).

 

By Authority: L.F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1938 No. 96, made under the Defence Act 1903-1934, were enacted by the Governor-General in Council to amend the Military Financial Regulations. The regulations address issues pertaining to the financial management of military resources, particularly concerning the allocation and accountability of fuel and light for various military purposes. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure the efficient and fair use of military resources and to establish clear guidelines for the distribution and accounting of fuel and light within the military. The policy objective was to provide precise scales and methods for the consumption of fuel and light, ensuring that resources are utilised economically and fairly, and to define the liability of the Commonwealth in cases of damage to motor vehicles, motor cycles, and bicycles during military operations.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1934 apply to the financial management of military resources, specifically addressing the financial aspects of the Australian Defence Force. This encompasses the financial officers and personnel within the military, as well as the broader military operations where financial considerations are pertinent. The regulations have a national reach, impacting all military personnel and operations within the Commonwealth of Australia. While the regulations do not explicitly state exclusions, they primarily focus on military-related financial operations, implying that civilian financial operations are not within their scope. The application of these regulations can be extended or further defined through subordinate instruments, which can provide additional details and specific conditions under which these financial regulations apply. The intent of these regulations is to ensure that military resources are managed efficiently and effectively, particularly in the context of military operations and the provision of necessary resources to military personnel.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of these Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1934 primarily concern the amendments to the Military Financial Regulations, particularly those related to the financial management of military operations, including the hiring of vehicles, fuel, and light issues, and the accountability of fuel usage. Regulation 146 has been amended to replace the term "Assistant Adjutant" with "officer of the Militia Forces" (Reg. 1), ensuring that the appropriate authority is responsible for certain financial matters. Regulation 157 now stipulates that the Commonwealth will compensate for damages to motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles that occur during military operations, subject to the conditions set by the Military Board (Reg. 2). Additionally, the scales for fuel and light have been updated to reflect total requirements, with provisions for savings in one service to be applied to deficiencies in another (Regs. 3-5). These Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties they govern, including formation and command-level officers, who are required to ensure that fuel and light are used economically and distributed fairly within their commands (Reg. 235(i)). The Military Board is tasked with determining the manner in which fuel and light are accounted for (Reg. 236). District Base Commandants have the authority to authorize the use of fireplaces, lamps, power points, and heating units within quarters, barracks, and other facilities (Reg. 6). These entities are also responsible for adhering to the prescribed scales for fuel and light, particularly in various types of rooms and facilities such as officers’ quarters, mess rooms, kitchens, and recreation areas (Regs. 7-10). The Regulations impose several civil and criminal consequences for breaches, although specific penalties are not explicitly stated in the text. The use of excess fuel or light in camps or during training, beyond the authorized scales, may lead to financial charges being levied against public funds, subject to certain approvals (Reg. 247). Furthermore, any excess consumption of gas or electricity in officers’ messes, sergeants’ messes, or recreation areas will be charged to the respective mess or individuals (Reg. 242(ii)). Any failure to comply with these financial and operational requirements could potentially lead to disciplinary action or other consequences as deemed appropriate by the relevant military authorities.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.