STATUTORY RULES.
1932. No. 65.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVAL DEFENCE ACT 1910-1918.
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 Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this fifth day of July, 1932.
ISAAC A. ISAACS
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE
Minister of State for Defence.
Amendment of Naval Reserve Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1931, No. 35, as amended to this date.)
(Third Amendment.)
1. Regulation 41 is repealed and the following regulation is inserted in its stead:—
“41. Warrant Officers of all Branches will be eligible for promotion to Commissioned Officer from Warrant Rank on attaining ten years’ seniority in Warrant Rank, provided they are recommended by the District Naval Officer; provided, further, that a Warrant Officer who held that rank prior to 1st July, 1930, may be promoted to Commissioned Officer from Warrant Rank in his own Branch, subject to the following conditions:—
(a) he has held Warrant Rank for not less than five years,
(b) he is recommended by his District Naval Officer, and
(c) he has passed such examination as the Naval Board may from time to time direct.”
2. Regulation 79, paragraph (b), is amended by deleting the word “or” in the fourth line and inserting in its stead the word “of”
3. Regulations 84 and 85 are repealed and the following regulations are inserted in their stead:—
“84. Competitions, which may include approved competitions between the various branches of the Defence Force, having for their object the attainment of a higher standard of efficiency in naval exercises and drills, may be held from time to time.
1848.—Price 3d
85.—(1.) Subject to the provision of funds by Parliament, each Port Division may be credited in each financial year with an allowance at the rate of Two shillings for each member upon the strength of the Port Division at 1st July of each year, but not exceeding the establishment of the Port Division, provided that the amount of the allowance for any Port Division shall be reduced to an amount proportionate to the percentage of members of that Port Division who, during the previous training year, have attended at least 75 per cent. of the prescribed training for that year.
(2.) Subject to such conditions as may be approved by the Naval Board, all expenditure in connexion with the competitions referred to in regulation 81 shall be met from the allowance provided for in sub regulation (1.) of this regulation.”.
4. Regulation 86 is repealed.
By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1932, No. 65, titled "Regulations Under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918," were enacted to amend the existing Naval Reserve Regulations. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to bring about specific changes aimed at enhancing the efficiency and structure of the Naval Reserve. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to improve the standards of naval exercises and drills through competitions, while also adjusting the criteria for the promotion of Warrant Officers to Commissioned Officers. These amendments reflect a strategic intent to bolster the preparedness and operational effectiveness of the naval forces.
Scope and Application
The Naval Defence Act 1910-1918 governs the defence force's naval reserve regulations, and these statutory rules further detail and amend specific regulations concerning the eligibility for promotion of warrant officers to commissioned officers, competition for efficiency in naval exercises and drills, and financial allowances for Port Divisions. These regulations apply to individuals serving as warrant officers within the naval reserve, as well as to the naval reserve's Port Divisions. The scope of the Act extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting the federal jurisdiction over defence matters. There are specific conditions and criteria outlined for eligibility of warrant officers for promotion, including seniority requirements and recommendations by District Naval Officers. Additionally, the Act sets out provisions for competitions aimed at enhancing efficiency in naval exercises and drills, along with financial allowances subject to parliamentary funding and certain attendance requirements for training. The application of these regulations is extended and refined through subordinate instruments, as evidenced by the amendments and insertions into existing regulations.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918 primarily address changes to the eligibility criteria for promotion and the establishment of competitions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of naval exercises and drills. Firstly, Regulation 41 is repealed and replaced with a new rule that specifies the conditions under which Warrant Officers can be promoted to Commissioned Officer from Warrant Rank (Reg. 41). To be eligible, a Warrant Officer must have attained ten years of seniority in Warrant Rank and be recommended by the District Naval Officer. Additionally, Warrant Officers who held their rank prior to 1 July 1930 can be promoted if they have held Warrant Rank for at least five years, are recommended by their District Naval Officer, and pass any examinations directed by the Naval Board. Secondly, Regulation 79 is amended to clarify the conditions under which Warrant Officers can be promoted. Thirdly, Regulations 84 and 85 are repealed and replaced with new provisions that allow for the holding of competitions, including inter-branch competitions, to improve the standard of efficiency in naval exercises and drills. These competitions can be funded from an allowance provided to each Port Division, subject to certain conditions such as the percentage of members attending prescribed training.
The Regulations impose several obligations on the parties governed by them. Warrant Officers seeking promotion must meet the specified seniority requirements and obtain a recommendation from their District Naval Officer. They may also be required to pass examinations as directed by the Naval Board. Additionally, Port Divisions are subject to the condition that their allowance for competitions will be reduced based on the percentage of members attending prescribed training. The Naval Board has the authority to approve conditions related to the expenditure of funds for competitions.
The Regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for breach. However, non-compliance with the conditions for promotion or the use of allowances for competitions could potentially lead to administrative consequences or disciplinary action within the Defence Force. The precise nature of these consequences would depend on the internal policies and regulations of the Defence Force and the Naval Board.