War Financial Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1919 No. 49, made under the Defence Act 1903-1918, introduces amendments to the War Financial Regulations to address certain financial support needs of military personnel during and after their service. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations aim to provide extra duty pay for members of the Garrison Military Police who undertake patrol duties and to support Non-Commissioned Officers of the Militia Forces with the provision of suitable uniforms when they serve on the Instructional Staff. These amendments seek to ensure that military personnel receive adequate financial support during their service, thereby maintaining morale and effectiveness within the defence forces.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1919 No. 49, made under the Defence Act 1903-1918, detail amendments to the War Financial Regulations and come into immediate effect. These regulations apply specifically to members of the Garrison Military Police, who are privates engaged in patrol duties, and to Non-Commissioned Officers of the Militia Forces who are temporarily appointed to the Instructional Staff. For the former, the regulation provides for the granting of extra duty pay at the rate of 1 shilling per day, effective from 17th October 1918. For the latter group, the regulations alter the provision for grants related to the provision of uniforms, specifying that a grant of £5 may be made initially upon appointment to the Instructional Staff, with an additional grant of £5 after two years of service, provided they do not receive uniform issues as members of the Militia Forces. These regulations are intended to address financial provisions in the context of military duties and instructional roles within the Defence Act framework, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia as per the authority of the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1919 No. 49, Regulations Under the Defence Act 1903-1918, include amendments to the War Financial Regulations. Regulation 54c introduces a provision allowing members of the Garrison Military Police who are privates and engaged on patrol duties to be granted extra duty pay at the rate of 1 shilling per day (s. 1(1)). This regulation is deemed to have come into operation from 17th October, 1918. Furthermore, regulation 59a is repealed and replaced with a new provision that allows a grant of £5 for the provision of suitable uniform to be made to Non-Commissioned Officers of the Militia Forces when they are temporarily appointed to the Instructional Staff (s. 1(2)). An additional grant of £5 is also permitted after two years of service, on the condition that the officer does not receive uniform issues as a member of the Militia Forces while serving on the Instructional Staff. This revised regulation is deemed to have come into operation from 1st July, 1916. The Regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on the relevant parties governed by the Defence Act 1903-1918. For instance, members of the Garrison Military Police who are privates and engaged on patrol duties are entitled to extra duty pay as per regulation 54c. This requirement ensures that these personnel are compensated appropriately for their additional duties. Similarly, Non-Commissioned Officers of the Militia Forces who are temporarily appointed to the Instructional Staff must meet the criteria to receive the grants for suitable uniforms as stipulated in regulation 59a. These grants are conditional on their continued service on the Instructional Staff without receiving uniform issues as members of the Militia Forces. The Statutory Rules 1919 No. 49 do not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of the Regulations. However, it is implied that non-compliance with the financial provisions outlined in the War Financial Regulations could result in legal consequences under the Defence Act 1903-1918. Any failure to adhere to the specified requirements for extra duty pay or uniform grants may lead to civil or criminal penalties as prescribed by the overarching Defence Act. The maximum penalties for such breaches would be determined by the relevant provisions of the Defence Act itself, which might include fines, imprisonment, or other forms of sanctions depending on the nature and severity of the breach.