STATUTORY RULES.
1922. No. 18.
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 forthwith.
Dated this twenty-fourth day of January, 1922.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
GRANVILLE RYRIE,
for Minister of State for Defence.
Regulations for the Royal Military College of Australia, 1921.
Amendments.
Regulations for the Royal Military College of Australia, 1921, are amended as follows:—
(a) Appendix VI., paragraph 4, delete sub-paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) and insert in lieu thereof the following:—
(b) Height.—The candidate will be placed against the standard with the feet together and the weight thrown on the heels, and not on the toes or outside of the feet. He will stand erect with rigidity, and with the heels, calves, buttocks, and shoulders touching the standard; the chin will be depressed to bring the vertex of the head level under the horizontal bar. Height measurement will in all cases be recorded to the nearest ½ inch. For example, every height which is between 67⅜ and 67⅝ inches must be set down at 67½ inches. All height measurements recorded must be those taken while the candidate is not wearing boots or shoes.
(c) Weight.—Weight is to be recorded to nearest pound. For example, weights between 146 and 146½ lbs. will be recorded as 146 lbs. The weight is to be given for the body as without clothes, boots, &c. If the weight is measured while the candidate is wearing clothes, &c, their weight is to be subtracted and the difference in the weight will be recorded as the weight of the candidate.
(d) Chest Measurements.—In the taking of circumference measurements the following directions are to be followed:—
(a) The person being measured will hold his arms straight up above his head.
C.977.—Price 3d.
(b) The tape will be passed horizontally round the chest at the level of the junction of the fourth rib cartilage with the sternum or breastbone; the arms will then be lowered, the tape being held tightly and the circumference measurements taken—
(i) on deep inspiration;
(ii) on complete expiration (attained by the candidate counting twenty aloud without inspiring).
(c) Before the tape is removed the level at which the measurements have been taken will be marked on the tape with chalk.
(c) If the finger be passed from the super sternal notch downwards over the front of the sternum or breastbone it soon meets a projecting ridge crossing the bone transversely. This gives the level of the second costal cartilage, and taking it as the starting point, the fourth costal cartilage, where it joins the sternum, can easily be determined.
In all cases the measurements are to be given to the nearest ½ inch.
(b) Appendix VI., paragraph 7, delete the words “officer who appointed it” and insert in lieu thereof the words “District Base Commandant”.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1922, No. 18, establishes regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918, coming into operation immediately upon enactment. These regulations, made by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council's advice, are designed to amend the 1921 regulations for the Royal Military College of Australia. This legislative instrument addresses specific operational procedures within the college, including height, weight, and chest measurements of candidates, which are critical for standardising the admission criteria and ensuring consistency in the selection process. The regulations were introduced to streamline the administrative process and ensure uniformity in the assessment of potential candidates, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining rigorous standards for the Defence Force.
Scope and Application
The Regulations for the Royal Military College of Australia, 1921, are made under the Defence Act 1903-1918 and apply specifically to the operations and procedures at the Royal Military College. These regulations pertain to the physical assessment criteria for candidates, including precise instructions on measuring height, weight, and chest circumference, and they are designed to standardise the recruitment process for the institution. The regulations apply to all individuals who are candidates for the Royal Military College, ensuring that their physical assessments are conducted uniformly according to the specified standards. The regulations have a national reach as they are enacted under Commonwealth legislation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within these regulations, and they are intended to be comprehensive in their application to all relevant candidates. The regulations also extend their application through subordinate instruments, which may include further amendments or clarifications to the procedures outlined in the main body of the legislation.
Key Provisions
The Regulations for the Royal Military College of Australia, 1921, provide detailed amendments to the existing standards and procedures, specifically addressing height, weight, and chest measurements of candidates (Appendix VI, paragraphs 4(b), 4(c), and 4(d)). For height measurements, candidates must stand with their feet together, weight on their heels, and their body fully against a standard, with the chin depressed to align the vertex of the head with a horizontal bar (Appendix VI, paragraph 4(b)). Measurements are to be recorded to the nearest half inch, and any height between 67¾ and 67½ inches should be recorded as 67½ inches. Importantly, these measurements must be taken without boots or shoes. Weight is to be recorded to the nearest pound, and if the candidate is weighed while wearing clothes, the weight of the clothes is to be subtracted (Appendix VI, paragraph 4(c)). Chest measurements are to be taken with the candidate holding their arms above their head, with the tape passed horizontally around the chest at the level of the junction of the fourth rib cartilage with the sternum. Measurements are to be taken on deep inspiration and on complete expiration, which is achieved by the candidate counting to twenty without inhaling. The tape must be held tightly and measurements recorded to the nearest half inch (Appendix VI, paragraph 4(d)).
The Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties involved, including the precise methods for measuring height, weight, and chest circumference, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the evaluation process. Additionally, the Regulations clarify that the District Base Commandant is responsible for overseeing these measurements, replacing the previous requirement for the officer who appointed the candidate (Appendix VI, paragraph 7). These obligations ensure that all measurements are conducted in a uniform and standardised manner, providing a fair assessment of each candidate's physical attributes.
Violations of the Regulations could result in administrative or procedural consequences, although the specific legal repercussions are not detailed within the text. However, the importance of adhering to these precise measurement standards underscores the necessity of compliance to maintain the integrity of the evaluation process. Any failure to comply with these requirements could potentially impact the fairness and accuracy of the candidate assessments, thereby affecting the overall selection and training processes for the Royal Military College of Australia.