STATUTORY RULES.
1918. No. 107.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1917.
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 1903-1917, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this first day of May, 1918.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE,
Minister of State for Defence.
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Amendment of War Financial Regulations.
Regulation 1 of War Financial Regulations is amended as follows:—
The words. “(2nd Corporal)” next after the words “Air Mechanic—1st Class” are deleted.
The words “Air Mechanic—3rd Class” are inserted next after the words “Stretcher-bearer, Artificer”.
Regulation 2 of War Financial Regulations is amended as follows:—
The words “(2nd Corporal)” next after the words “Air Mechanic—1st Class (Flying Unit)” are deleted.
The words “Air Mechanic—3rd Class” are inserted next after the word “Artificer”.
Regulation 6 of War Financial Regulations is amended by adding thereto the following sub-regulation:—
“(ii.) Subject to good report an additional 1s. per diem may be paid in order of seniority to Masseuses with not less than two years’ continuous service, provided that the total number so paid shall not exceed 20 per cent. of the establishment”.
Regulation 15 of War Financial Regulations is amended by adding thereto the following sub-regulation: —
“(ii.) Where an officer is granted leave to return to Australia under Regulation 42, Field Allowance in the same proportion as Pay will be payable from commencement of such leave until disembarkation in Australia and from the date of rejoining camp for the purpose of re-embarkation for resumption of duty abroad.
“Where an officer re-embarks without rejoining camp, Field Allowance as prescribed in this sub-regulation will be issuable from the date of such re-embarkation.”
Regulation 20 of War Financial Regulations is amended by adding thereto the following words:—
“Provided further that officers of the Australian Imperial Forces serving in India and Mesopotamia and officers of the Naval and Military Expeditionary Forces shall receive an annual allowance of £15 each for the upkeep of uniform, &c, during their service abroad but no free issue of uniform, other than the initial issue may be made to such officers.”
Regulation 41 of War Financial Regulations is repealed, and the following regulation made in lieu thereof:—
41. In the case of soldiers who are acting as Non-Commissioned Officers, and who are in receipt of Extra Duty Pay, the acting appointment and Extra Duty Pay in respect of same will cease after seven continuous days' absence from duty on account of sickness.
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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 1918, No. 107, represent amendments to the War Financial Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1917, enacted to address financial management and allowances for military personnel during the First World War. The regulations were made by the Governor-General in Council, acting on advice from the Minister of State for Defence, and came into immediate effect. The policy objective of these amendments was to ensure that financial provisions were adequately adapted to the changing needs and circumstances of military personnel, particularly in light of the evolving roles within the forces and the logistical challenges posed by the war. These amendments focused on updating the ranks eligible for certain financial allowances, providing additional support for medical staff, and clarifying the conditions under which various allowances and pay adjustments would be applied.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1918 No. 107 amends the War Financial Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1917, applying to personnel within the Australian military forces, including Air Mechanics, Stretcher-bearers, Artificers, and Masseuses, as well as officers serving in India, Mesopotamia, and other locations abroad. The amendments introduce changes to pay rates and allowances, including additional pay for Masseuses, field allowances for officers on leave, and annual allowances for uniform upkeep for specific military personnel. The regulations also establish conditions for the cessation of Extra Duty Pay for Non-Commissioned Officers on extended sick leave. These regulations extend to the Commonwealth of Australia, influencing the financial management and compensation practices within the Defence sector, and are intended to provide clarity and structure to financial support for military personnel during their service, particularly in war-time contexts. The application of these regulations is comprehensive, covering various ranks and roles within the Australian military, and the adjustments are designed to address specific wartime needs and circumstances.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules of 1918 No. 107, which are regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1917, include amendments to the War Financial Regulations. Regulation 1 removes the rank of "2nd Corporal" and replaces it with "Air Mechanic—3rd Class" after "Air Mechanic—1st Class" and "Stretcher-bearer, Artificer". Similarly, Regulation 2 removes "2nd Corporal" and inserts "Air Mechanic—3rd Class" after "Air Mechanic—1st Class (Flying Unit)" and "Artificer". Regulation 6 introduces an additional allowance for Masseuses with at least two years of continuous service, provided the number of recipients does not exceed 20% of the total establishment. Regulation 15 extends Field Allowance to officers granted leave to return to Australia, from the commencement of leave until disembarkation in Australia, and from rejoining camp for re-embarkation for duty abroad. Regulation 20 grants an annual allowance of £15 to officers serving in India and Mesopotamia and to officers of the Naval and Military Expeditionary Forces for uniform upkeep, but only allows for the initial issue of uniforms.
These regulations impose various obligations and requirements on the parties they govern. For example, Regulation 6 requires that Masseuses must have at least two years of continuous service to be eligible for the additional allowance, and the total number of recipients must not exceed 20% of the establishment. Regulation 15 requires officers to rejoin camp for the purpose of re-embarkation for duty abroad to continue receiving Field Allowance. Regulation 20 requires officers serving in India and Mesopotamia and officers of the Naval and Military Expeditionary Forces to maintain their uniforms at their own expense, with an annual allowance provided for upkeep.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1917 could potentially lead to disciplinary action, financial penalties, or other legal consequences as prescribed by the Act or relevant military law. The maximum penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any applicable military or civilian legal provisions.