STATUTORY RULES.
1925. No. 56.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1918.
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 1903-1918, to come into operation as from the dates specified.
Dated this first day of April, 1925.
11 JUN 1925 FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
NEVILLE HOWSE,
Minister of State for Defence.
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Munitions Supply Regulations 1923.
Amendment.
Repeal regulation 34 (2) and insert the following in lieu thereof:—
“34. (2) Whenever any of the said days, except the twenty-fifth day of April, falls upon a Sunday, the next following Monday shall be observed as a holiday in lieu of such Sunday.”
Repeal regulation 34 (3) and insert the following in lieu thereof:—
“34. (3) In addition to the days mentioned in sub-regulation (1) of this regulation there may be observed as public holidays or half-holidays, such additional days or half-days, not exceeding, in the whole, four days in any one calendar year, as are authorized by the Minister.”
Repeal regulation 34 (5) and insert the following in lieu thereof:—
“34. (5) The Board may require an establishment or any part thereof to be kept open in the public interests for the whole or any portion of a holiday observed in pursuance of the preceding sub-regulations one, two, three or four of this regulation and may require the attendance and services of any officer, foreman or employee during that holiday, but in that case the officer, foreman or employee shall be granted an additional day’s salary or proportion thereof provided that no proportion shall be less than one half-day’s salary.”
To have effect as from 15th November, 1924.
After regulation 45 insert the following new regulations:—
“45a. In cases of illness or other pressing necessity the Secretary, Department of Defence, may grant to any foreman leave of absence without pay not exceeding three months, and such leave of absence shall be included as part of the foreman’s service;
45b. On the application of any foreman the Minister may grant to the foreman leave of absence without pay for any period not exceeding twelve months, but, unless otherwise ordered by the Minister, leave granted in accordance with this sub-regulation shall not for any purpose be included as part of the foreman’s period of service.”
To have effect as from 23rd October, 1924.
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.4586.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Munitions Supply Regulations 1923, published as Statutory Rules 1925 No. 56, were enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the Defence Act 1903-1918. These regulations were designed to address specific administrative needs related to munitions supply within the defence sector, ensuring that the operations and workforce management aligned with national security requirements. The regulations included amendments to existing provisions and introduced new rules to enhance flexibility and efficiency in managing holidays and leave for defence personnel. The primary objective was to streamline the operations of munitions supply while maintaining the public interest and ensuring fair treatment of employees during holidays and leave periods.
Scope and Application
The Munitions Supply Regulations 1923, as amended by these statutory rules, apply to individuals and entities involved in the munitions supply chain within the Commonwealth of Australia, particularly those operating under the Defence Act 1903-1918. These regulations govern the management of munitions supply, including the establishment of public holidays and half-holidays for employees, as well as the conditions under which leave of absence may be granted to foremen. The regulations provide for adjustments to public holidays when they fall on a Sunday, allow the Minister to authorise additional public holidays or half-holidays not exceeding four days per year, and stipulate that certain establishments may be required to remain open during these holidays, with employees entitled to additional compensation. Furthermore, the regulations outline the circumstances under which foremen can be granted leave of absence without pay, either by the Secretary of the Department of Defence for up to three months or by the Minister for up to twelve months, with specific conditions on how such leave is accounted for in their service period. These regulations are applicable nationally and are enforced by subordinate instruments as specified.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918, as amended, primarily concern the management of holidays and leave for personnel within Defence establishments. Specifically, Regulation 34 outlines the observance of holidays. Sub-regulation 34(2) stipulates that if any of the specified days falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a holiday. Sub-regulation 34(3) further allows for up to four additional public holidays or half-days to be observed in a calendar year, subject to the Minister's authorisation. Sub-regulation 34(5) authorises the Board to mandate the operation of Defence establishments or parts thereof during holidays, requiring the attendance of officers, foremen, or employees, with the condition that they receive an additional day's salary or a proportion thereof, not less than half a day's salary.
The Regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved. Defence establishments and their personnel must comply with the holiday observances as specified in Regulation 34. The Board has the authority to direct certain operations to continue during holidays, as detailed in sub-regulation 34(5). Additionally, the Secretary, Department of Defence, and the Minister have specific roles in granting leave of absence without pay. Under sub-regulation 45a, the Secretary may grant foremen leave of absence not exceeding three months, which is considered part of their service. Sub-regulation 45b allows the Minister to grant foremen leave of absence without pay for up to twelve months, unless otherwise specified, with the leave not counting towards their period of service.
Breaches of these Regulations may lead to civil or criminal consequences, though specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text. The Regulations focus on the management of holidays and leave, ensuring that Defence operations can continue when necessary while providing certain protections and entitlements to personnel. The outlined provisions and the roles of the Secretary and the Minister are designed to balance operational needs with the welfare of Defence employees.