STATUTORY RULES.
1913. No. 23.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1912.
Regulations for Universal Training—Part V.—Citizen Forces—Amendment.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the following Regulation under the Defence Act 1903-1912 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this fifth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency's Command,
G, F. PEARCE,
REGULATIONS FOR UNIVERSAL TRAINING-PART V.—CITIZEN FORCES.
Miscellaneous.
Amendment.
Add new Regulation—
" 187. When the number of officers of an Infantry Battalion is below the authorized annual establishment, the vacancies (other than those caused by the absence, with or without leave, of officers on the strength of the Battalion) at Camps of Continuous Training may be filled by officers of Senior Cadets who have qualified for their rank under the syllabus and conditions which apply to officers of the Citizen Forces, and have been granted substantive commissions on the Unattached List of the Citizen Forces, provided that such officers volunteer for the duty, are recommended by the Officer Commanding the Battalion and the Brigade Major, and their attendance at the Camp has been approved by the District Commandant.
In such cases the Senior Cadet Officers who attend Camp for a period of not less than eight days may be paid the field allowance of their rank as prescribed for officers of the Citizen Forces, and shall be granted free rations.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Acting Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.984.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1913 No. 23, Provisional Regulations Under the Defence Act 1903-1912, were enacted to address the urgent need for amendments to the regulations governing universal training within the citizen forces. This legislation was introduced to streamline the process of filling vacancies in infantry battalions during periods of continuous training. The urgency of the matter was acknowledged by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council, who certified the immediate operation of these provisional regulations. The overarching policy objective was to ensure that the Citizen Forces could maintain operational readiness by efficiently utilising qualified senior cadets to fill critical gaps within the ranks of officers.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912, specifically pertaining to universal training within the Citizen Forces, apply to officers of Senior Cadets who have qualified under the same syllabus and conditions as those applying to Citizen Forces officers. These regulations are designed to address situations where the number of officers in an Infantry Battalion falls below the authorised annual establishment. This Act allows for vacancies, excluding those due to absence with or without leave, to be temporarily filled by qualified Senior Cadet Officers during Camps of Continuous Training. Such officers must volunteer for the duty, be recommended by the Officer Commanding the Battalion and the Brigade Major, and have their attendance approved by the District Commandant. Upon fulfilling these conditions, Senior Cadet Officers attending the camp for a minimum of eight days are eligible for the field allowance and free rations corresponding to their rank as Citizen Forces officers. The regulations are effective across the Commonwealth of Australia and are issued with immediate effect due to their urgent nature.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislative instrument (Regulations for Universal Training—Part V.—Citizen Forces—Amendment) establish provisions for filling vacancies in the officer ranks of an Infantry Battalion during Camps of Continuous Training. Specifically, Regulation 187 allows for the temporary filling of officer positions when the number of officers falls below the authorized establishment, provided certain conditions are met (Regulation 187(1)). These conditions include the officers of Senior Cadets volunteering for the duty, being recommended by the Officer Commanding the Battalion and the Brigade Major, and having their attendance approved by the District Commandant (Regulation 187(2)-(3)). Additionally, eligible Senior Cadet Officers who attend the camp for at least eight days are entitled to be paid the field allowance and granted free rations as prescribed for officers of the Citizen Forces (Regulation 187(4)-(5)).
The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on various parties to ensure the smooth operation of the provisions outlined in Regulation 187. The Officer Commanding the Battalion and the Brigade Major must recommend the Senior Cadet Officers for the vacancies (Regulation 187(3)). The District Commandant must approve the attendance of these officers at the Camp (Regulation 187(3)). Furthermore, Senior Cadet Officers must volunteer for the duty and attend the Camp for at least eight days to qualify for the field allowance and free rations (Regulation 187(4)-(5)). These obligations are crucial in maintaining the operational readiness and morale of the Citizen Forces.
Failure to comply with the provisions and requirements outlined in Regulation 187 could potentially lead to civil or criminal consequences, although the specific penalties are not detailed in this legislation. However, the importance of adhering to these provisions is underscored by their role in ensuring the effective functioning of the Citizen Forces. Non-compliance might result in administrative actions, which could include disciplinary measures or revocation of privileges such as the field allowance and free rations. While the exact penalties are not specified, the seriousness of maintaining the authorized officer strength and the conditions for filling vacancies suggest that any breaches could have significant implications for those involved.