Orange Bounty Act 1936

Overview

The Orange Bounty Act 1936 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide financial incentives for the export of oranges from the Commonwealth, specifically targeting markets outside New Zealand. This Act was a response to the need for economic stimulus in the citrus industry during the early 1930s, a period marked by economic depression. The bounty was intended to encourage the growth and export of oranges, thereby bolstering the agricultural sector and supporting related industries. The policy objective was to enhance the competitiveness of Australian oranges in international markets and to provide financial support to growers and exporters. The Act specifies the conditions under which the bounty can be claimed, including the necessity of complying with relevant regulations and the timely submission of applications to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce.

Scope and Application

The Orange Bounty Act 1936 applies to the payment of a bounty on the export of oranges from the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically for exports occurring during the year 1934 to destinations other than New Zealand. This Act is applicable to the exporters of oranges, including those who may export through an agent, with the bounty payable at a rate of sixpence per case of oranges exported. The bounty is to be paid to the exporter, or in certain cases, to the agent acting on behalf of the exporter. The application for the bounty must be lodged with the Secretary of the Department of Commerce by 30 June 1936, with failure to comply with this Act or provide accurate information subjecting the claimant to penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The Act extends its jurisdiction to allow the Minister or authorised persons to call for necessary documents and information to ensure compliance, with failure to provide such information also attracting penalties. Furthermore, the Act mandates the preparation of a report on its operation, detailing the amount of bounty paid and other prescribed particulars, to be presented to each House of Parliament. The Governor-General has the authority to make regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, including setting penalties for offences against these regulations.

Key Provisions

The Orange Bounty Act 1936 (section 3) establishes that a bounty will be paid on oranges exported from the Commonwealth, specifically for the year 1934, to destinations other than New Zealand. The bounty is payable at a rate of sixpence per case of oranges (section 4) and is intended to be paid to the exporter of the oranges (section 6). If the oranges are exported through an agent, the bounty can be paid to the agent, who must then account for it to the exporter (section 6(2)). A crucial requirement for receiving this bounty is that the claimant must lodge an application with the Secretary by 30 June 1936 (section 7). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Exporters of oranges must ensure that they comply with the provisions of the Commerce (General Exports) Regulations and that they apply for the bounty within the specified timeframe (sections 4, 6, and 7). The Secretary of the Department of Commerce is responsible for overseeing the application process and the distribution of the bounty (section 6). The Minister, or an authorized person, has the authority to request any necessary books, documents, or information to ensure compliance with the Act and related regulations (section 9(1)). Failure to provide the requested information without reasonable excuse is an offence (section 9(2)). Violations of the Orange Bounty Act 1936 are subject to penalties. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a bounty not payable, or doing so by means of false or misleading statements, is prohibited (section 8(a) and (b)). Presenting false documents or statements to officers or persons involved in the administration of the Act is also an offence (section 8(c)). The penalty for these offences is a fine of one hundred pounds or imprisonment for one year (section 8). Additionally, failure to furnish required books, documents, or information to the Minister upon request is an offence (section 9(2)), with the same penalty of one hundred pounds or imprisonment for one year (section 9(2)). If a person who has failed to comply is also a claimant for bounty, the Minister may withhold payment of the bounty until the required information is provided (section 9(3)).