STATUTORY RULES.
1914. No. 141.
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PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1912.
Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth—Regulation 516—Amendment.
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 Act 1903-1912 should come into immediate operation and, further, should be taken to have come into operation on and from the first day of August, 1914, and make the Regulation to come into operation accordingly as a Provisional Regulation. Statutory Rule 1914, No. 132, is cancelled.
Dated this fourteenth day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fourteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE.
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COMMONWEALTH MILITARY REGULATIONS.
Amendment.
Regulation 516, second sub-paragraph, which reads—
“Cable Guards shall be composed of an approved number of active members of any Rifle Clubs in certain defined localities, who shall be liable to be called out for the protection of Cable Stations and landing places whenever required. Members of Cable Guards shall be entitled to all the privileges and concessions of other active members of Rifle Clubs as prescribed by these Regulations, and shall, when called out for active service, be paid at existing Militia rates of pay. If more than 30 per cent. of the members of a Cable Guard be non-efficient after the first year of formation, such Cable Guard may be disbanded”
is amended as follows:—
“(b). Cable Guards shall be composed of an approved number of active members of any Rifle Clubs in certain defined localities, who shall be liable to be called out for active service or for the protection of Cable Stations whenever required, and when so called out shall be paid as follows:—
Honorary Captain—Citizen Forces rate of pay as Lieutenant. |
If appointed by Commandant. | 1 Sergeant—Citizen Forces rate of pay as Sergeant. |
1 Corporal—Citizen Forces rate of pay as Corporal. |
| Remainder of Guard—Citizen Forces rate of pay as Privates (Trained Soldiers). |
Members of Cable Guards shall be entitled to all the privileges and concessions of other active members of Rifle Clubs as prescribed by these Regulations. If more than 30 per cent. of the members of a Cable Guard be non-efficient after the first year of formation such Cable Guard may be disbanded.”
Note.—Payment shall be made in accordance with U.T. Regulation 160.
Sub-paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) are amended to read (c), (d), and (e).
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. MULLETT, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.13612.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912 were introduced by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, on account of the urgent need to address deficiencies in the management and remuneration of Cable Guards. These guards, formed by members of Rifle Clubs, were responsible for the protection of cable stations and landing places. The urgency of the situation necessitated the immediate implementation of these regulations, which came into operation on 1 August 1914. This legislative instrument aimed to rectify the inadequate compensation and rank recognition for Cable Guard members, ensuring they received appropriate rates of pay and privileges in line with other active members of Rifle Clubs, thereby enhancing their motivation and efficiency.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912 apply to members of Cable Guards who are active members of Rifle Clubs within certain defined localities. These regulations specifically pertain to the composition, payment, and entitlements of Cable Guards when called upon for active service or for the protection of Cable Stations. The amendment to Regulation 516 modifies the payment structure for Cable Guard members, aligning their rates of pay with Citizen Forces rates, thereby ensuring that members are remunerated appropriately for their service. These regulations have a national jurisdictional reach as they are enacted under the Commonwealth of Australia, and they supersede any conflicting provisions from Statutory Rule 1914, No. 132. The regulations also incorporate provisions from U.T. Regulation 160 for the payment of Cable Guard members. The scope of these regulations is primarily focused on the organisation and operational readiness of Cable Guards, with specific attention to their pay and privileges.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this Statutory Rule concern the amendment of Regulation 516, which pertains to Cable Guards within the Commonwealth Military Regulations. This regulation, previously specified that Cable Guards were to be composed of active members of Rifle Clubs in defined localities and would be liable to be called out for the protection of Cable Stations and landing places, with certain pay rates and conditions. The amended Regulation 516 now stipulates that Cable Guards shall be composed of approved active members of Rifle Clubs, who will be liable to be called out for active service or for the protection of Cable Stations, and their pay will be adjusted according to their rank, with Honorary Captains being paid at Citizen Forces rate of pay as Lieutenants, Sergeants at the rate of Sergeants, Corporals at the rate of Corporals, and the remainder of the Guard at the rate of Privates (Trained Soldiers) (Regulation 516 (b)). This amendment clarifies the pay structure and conditions for members of Cable Guards, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation based on their roles.
The amended Regulation 516 imposes certain obligations on the parties involved. Members of Cable Guards must be active members of Rifle Clubs within certain defined localities and must be ready to be called out for active service or to protect Cable Stations as required. Furthermore, these members must adhere to the new pay structure based on their ranks, which is outlined in the amended regulation. Additionally, if more than 30% of the members of a Cable Guard are found to be non-efficient after the first year of formation, the Cable Guard may be disbanded (Regulation 516 (b)).
Breaches of these regulations may lead to various consequences. While the Statutory Rule does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, the overall framework under the Defence Act 1903-1912 would likely impose both civil and criminal penalties for failing to adhere to the requirements of the amended Regulation 516. Such penalties could include fines, imprisonment, or other sanctions as determined under the applicable laws. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, and any subsequent legal proceedings would take these factors into account.