STATUTORY RULES.
1915. No. 64.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1914.
Regulations (Provisional) for Universal Training.—Part V.—Citizen Forces.
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 1903-1914 should come into immediate operation and, further, should be taken to have come into operation on and from the first day of April, 1915, and make the Regulation to come into operation accordingly as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this fifth day of May, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE.
REGULATIONS (PROVISIONAL) FOR UNIVERSAL TRAINING.
PART V.—CITIZEN FORCES.
Amendment.
Regulation 160—Delete the words “Armament Artificer” which appear after “Quartermaster-Sergeant,” and immediately before “Warrant Officer.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.5162.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1915 No. 64, enacted as Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1914, were introduced to address the urgent need for comprehensive training regulations within the Australian Citizen Forces. The Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, certified the immediate operation of these regulations to ensure preparedness and compliance with the Defence Act. The regulations, which came into effect from 1 April 1915, were necessitated by the pressing requirements of the time and aimed to facilitate universal training in a structured manner, thereby enhancing the overall readiness and efficiency of the military forces. These provisional measures underscore the government's commitment to safeguarding national security through well-regulated and systematic training protocols.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1914, specifically focusing on universal training for citizen forces, apply to individuals who are enlisted in the citizen forces as well as to entities involved in the administration and management of these forces. The regulations are enacted to address immediate needs and are effective from April 1, 1915, throughout the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations pertain to the restructuring of roles and responsibilities within the citizen forces, as exemplified by the amendment of Regulation 160, which removes the title "Armament Artificer" from the hierarchy between "Quartermaster-Sergeant" and "Warrant Officer." The geographic reach of these regulations is nationwide, applying uniformly across the Commonwealth. The regulations do not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, suggesting a broad application to all relevant personnel and roles within the citizen forces. Additionally, the Act allows for further extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, which may provide more detailed operational guidelines or additional classifications.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these Provisional Regulations for Universal Training, particularly in Part V, concern the Citizen Forces and involve an amendment to the existing Defence Act 1903-1914. Regulation 160 (Section 160) specifies the deletion of the term "Armament Artificer" from the list of positions that appears after "Quartermaster-Sergeant" and before "Warrant Officer." This amendment signifies a change in the hierarchical structure within the Citizen Forces, presumably to streamline or realign roles and responsibilities within the military organization.
The obligations and requirements imposed by these Regulations primarily focus on the Citizen Forces, which are integral to the universal training framework. These forces are expected to adhere to the changes outlined in the Regulations, which include the specified amendment to the titles and possibly the duties associated with certain ranks. For instance, the removal of the "Armament Artificer" title might necessitate adjustments in how armament-related tasks are managed within the Citizen Forces. The Regulations mandate that these changes be implemented immediately and considered effective from April 1, 1915, reflecting the urgency and the critical nature of the amendments in the context of the prevailing circumstances at the time.
In terms of potential consequences for non-compliance, the Regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaching these provisions. However, given the provisional nature and the historical context of World War I, it is reasonable to infer that failure to comply with these urgent regulations could have significant implications, potentially including disciplinary actions or other forms of enforcement deemed necessary by the military hierarchy to ensure the effectiveness and readiness of the Citizen Forces. The urgency and the immediate operational requirement underscored by the Governor-General's certification highlight the seriousness with which these amendments are regarded.