STATUTORY RULES.
1943. No. 180.
REGULATION UNDER THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT 1939-1940.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the National Security Act 1939-1940.
Dated this sixteenth day of July, 1943.
(SGD.) GOWRIE.
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
for and on behalf of the Minister of State for Defence.
———
Amendment of the National Security (Supplementary) Regulations. †
The National Security (Supplementary) Regulations are amended by adding at the end thereof the following regulation:—
Telegrams to members of the Forces.
“108.—(1.) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 17 of the Telegraph Regulations, telegrams addressed to members of the Forces may be addressed in accordance with the manner notified by the Secretary, Department of the Navy, the Secretary, Department of the Army or the Secretary, Department of Air, as the case may be.
“(2.) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 57 of the Telegraph Regulations, no charge shall be made for retransmission within the Commonwealth of a telegram addressed to a member of the Forces.”.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1943
† Statutory Rules 1940, No. 126, as amended to date. For previous National Security (Supplementary) Regulations, see footnote † Statutory Rules 1943, No. 48, and see also Statutory Rules 1943, Nos. 63, 78, 87, 88, 103, 104, 111, 112, 114 and 115.
By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
2835.—Price 3d. 25/18.5.1943.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1943 No. 180, made under the National Security Act 1939-1940, introduces regulations to amend the National Security (Supplementary) Regulations. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument aims to facilitate communication with members of the Australian Forces during wartime. It specifically addresses the need to streamline and support the efficient transmission of telegrams to service personnel by allowing addresses to be made in a manner notified by the relevant Department Secretary and exempting these telegrams from retransmission charges within the Commonwealth. The policy objective is to ensure that vital communication with military members is maintained without unnecessary financial or procedural barriers, thereby supporting the war effort and the welfare of service personnel.
Scope and Application
This legislative instrument, issued under the National Security Act 1939-1940, specifically amends the National Security (Supplementary) Regulations to address the transmission of telegrams to members of the Australian Forces during the period of World War II. The regulation allows for the transmission of telegrams to members of the Forces in a manner notified by the respective heads of the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Army, or the Department of Air, thereby bypassing certain provisions of the Telegraph Regulations. Additionally, it prohibits any charge for the retransmission within the Commonwealth of a telegram directed to a member of the Forces, ensuring that such communications are provided free of charge. The scope of this regulation applies to all telegrams addressed to members of the Australian Forces, impacting the military personnel directly and indirectly by streamlining the communication process and ensuring cost-free transmission of essential messages. This legislative amendment is part of a broader effort to support and facilitate the efficient communication needs of military personnel during wartime.
Key Provisions
The regulation amends the existing National Security (Supplementary) Regulations by adding a new provision regarding telegrams addressed to members of the Australian military forces. Regulation 108(1) allows for telegrams to be addressed to members of the Forces in a manner notified by the relevant department, thereby providing flexibility and efficiency in communication. Regulation 108(2) further specifies that there shall be no charge for the retransmission of such telegrams within the Commonwealth, ensuring that the costs associated with sending urgent communications to military personnel are borne by the government. This is a significant departure from the standard practice outlined in the Telegraph Regulations, which typically would charge for such services.
The obligations imposed by this regulation are primarily administrative and operational. The Secretary of each military department—Navy, Army, or Air—must notify the specific manner in which telegrams addressed to their respective force members should be handled. This notification ensures that all relevant parties are aware of the proper procedures and channels for sending telegrams to military personnel. Additionally, the regulation requires that no charge be levied for the retransmission of these telegrams, which places the onus on the relevant telecommunications authorities to facilitate this service without cost to the sender or the military personnel.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation could result in various consequences. While the specific legal repercussions are not detailed in the regulation itself, it is reasonable to infer that any breaches could be considered violations of the broader National Security Act 1939-1940. Under this Act, penalties for non-compliance could include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and intent behind the breach. The exact penalties would be determined by the courts, taking into account the specific circumstances of the case.