Military Forces of the Commonwealth Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1911, No. 189, establish Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1910, aimed at addressing urgent amendments to Commonwealth Military Regulations 558 and 560. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations were necessitated by the immediate need to modify existing military force regulations. The policy objective behind these regulations is to facilitate the establishment of District Rifle Club Unions within each Military District to encourage rifle shooting among their members, as well as to mandate that State Rifle Associations receiving government grants submit their annual reports for approval to District Headquarters. This legislative instrument was issued on the urgent advice of the Federal Executive Council, highlighting the necessity for swift implementation of these regulatory changes.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1910, as certified by the Governor-General and coming into immediate operation, pertain specifically to the Military Forces of the Commonwealth. These regulations amend existing provisions to incorporate the establishment of District Rifle Club Unions within each Military District, with the primary aim of encouraging rifle shooting among their members. The rules governing these Unions must be approved by the Military Board. Additionally, the regulations replace the previous requirement under Regulation 560 by mandating that all State Rifle Associations receiving a government grant must submit a copy of their Annual Report to District Head-Quarters for approval. The reach of these regulations is confined to entities and individuals directly involved with the Military Forces and State Rifle Associations within the Commonwealth of Australia. While the regulations primarily concern military and associated activities, they do not explicitly exclude or include any particular groups or conduct beyond the specified requirements. The urgency of these regulations underscores their importance in ensuring compliance and governance within the military and associated sports activities.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules (Provisional Regulations) 1911, No. 189, introduce amendments to the Commonwealth Military Regulations 558 and 560 under the Defence Act 1903-1910. Regulation 558 now includes a sub-paragraph (b) that mandates the establishment of District Rifle Club Unions in each Military District, with the purpose of promoting rifle shooting among their members (558(b)). The rules governing these Unions must receive approval from the Military Board. Additionally, Regulation 560 is replaced with a new provision that requires all State Rifle Associations receiving government grants to submit a copy of their Annual Report to District Headquarters for approval (560). These regulations impose specific obligations on the entities they govern. Firstly, each Military District is required to establish District Rifle Club Unions, ensuring that these entities adhere to the rules approved by the Military Board (558(b)). Secondly, State Rifle Associations that receive government grants must ensure that their Annual Reports are submitted to District Headquarters for formal approval (560). These obligations are crucial for maintaining oversight and ensuring compliance with the legislative intent behind the regulations. Failure to comply with these provisions may lead to civil or criminal consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1910 can typically result in penalties as prescribed by relevant laws. Such penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or other sanctions as determined by the applicable legislation. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would be further defined by the Defence Act or related statutory instruments.