statutory rules.
1907. No. 104.
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 Regulation under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this eleventh day of October, One thousand nine hundred and seven.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
THOS. EWING.
Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth.
Amendment.
Regulation 568 —Uniform.—Delete the words “Blue cloth cap (peak) with gold lace band as per rank,” and insert “Blue cloth cap (peak) with blue cloth band and Corps badge.” Working Dress.—Delete the words “Khaki felt hat,” and insert “White cotton hat.”
By Authority: J. Kemp, Acting Government Printer, Melbourne.
C.12895.—Price3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1907, No. 104, titled "Provisional Regulations Under the Defence Acts 1903–1904," was enacted to address the urgent need for amendments to the uniform regulations for the military forces of the Commonwealth. This Provisional Regulation was issued by the Governor-General in Council on 11 October 1907, due to its urgency, and came into immediate operation as a means to swiftly respond to operational needs. The regulation modifies the uniform requirements by changing the specifications for headgear, specifically replacing the gold lace band with a blue cloth band and Corps badge for the blue cloth cap and replacing the khaki felt hat with a white cotton hat for working dress. The enacting body was the Governor-General in Council, with the intent to ensure that the military forces' uniforms better suited their operational requirements.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 apply to all personnel within the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, affecting their uniform regulations. Specifically, the amendments outlined in Regulation 568 involve changes to the headgear for both the uniform and working dress. The geographic reach of these regulations is nationwide, impacting all members of the military forces operating under the Commonwealth jurisdiction. The regulations directly alter the specifications for headgear, replacing a blue cloth cap with a gold lace band with one that features a blue cloth band and a Corps badge for the uniform, and substituting a khaki felt hat with a white cotton hat for working dress. The provisions apply immediately as a Provisional Regulation, underscoring the urgency and immediacy with which the amendments are to be implemented. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified in these regulations, thereby ensuring uniform application across all ranks and units within the Commonwealth military forces.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 (C1907L00104) involve amendments to the uniform specifications for military forces. Specifically, Regulation 568 modifies the design of the military cap and hat. The existing regulation, which required a "Blue cloth cap (peak) with gold lace band as per rank," is replaced with a "Blue cloth cap (peak) with blue cloth band and Corps badge" (s. 1). Similarly, the "Khaki felt hat" specified for working dress is replaced with a "White cotton hat" (s. 1). These changes come into immediate effect as Provisional Regulations.
The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations on military personnel are primarily concerned with the correct wearing of specified uniform items. The updated design of the cap now mandates the inclusion of a blue cloth band and a Corps badge, instead of the previous gold lace band. For working dress, the khaki felt hat must be replaced with a white cotton hat. These specifications ensure uniformity and identification within the military forces, reflecting the new Corps badges and a standardised working dress item.
Breaching these regulations by not adhering to the specified uniform requirements can lead to disciplinary actions under military law. While the exact nature of these consequences is not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with uniform standards generally can result in administrative penalties, including fines or reprimands. The regulations do not explicitly state maximum penalties, but they are likely to be in line with the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, which includes provisions for fines and other punitive measures.
In summary, the Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 modify the specifications for military uniforms, replacing the gold lace band on caps with a blue cloth band and Corps badge, and substituting the khaki felt hat with a white cotton hat for working dress. These changes impose clear obligations on military personnel to comply with the new uniform standards, with potential disciplinary consequences for non-compliance, although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text.