STATUTORY RULES.
1918. No. 161.
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 the nineteenth day of June, 1918.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE,
Minister of State for Defence.
War Financial Regulations are amended as follows:—
(1) The provisions of Statutory Rules 1917 No. 292 notified in the Commonwealth Gazette of 12th November, 1917, shall, in so far as they relate to the rates of pay payable to Adjutants and Quartermasters under regulation 2 of War Financial Regulations, take effect as from the 1st January, 1918, and not otherwise.
(2) Regulation 15.—Next after the words ‘‘Major .. 5s.,” is added “Adjutants .. 5s.”
To take effect as from 1st May, 1917.
(3) Next after regulation 24, the following regulation is inserted:—
‘‘24a. Members of the Australian Imperial Force who are appointed for the voyage only and engaged on duties connected with the transport of remounts to India, shall be paid special allowances at the undermentioned rates for the period during which they are in India, provided that such allowance shall not be payable in excess of a period of 21 days during any one voyage:—
Officers................................ | 15s. per diem. |
Ship’s Sergt.-Major........................ | 10s. | „ | „ |
Shoeing Smiths, Drivers, and Privates............ | 8s. | „ | „ |
(4) Sub-regulation (a) of regulation 32 is amended by deleting “1s. 5d.” and “4½d.” wherever occurring, and substituting “2s.” and “6d.” respectively in lieu thereof.
Sub-regulation (d) of regulation 32 is repealed, and the following sub-regulation made in lieu thereof :—
“(d) If the making of the increased allotment required in paragraph (c) would involve a reduction in the soldier’s net daily rate of pay, the rate of pay held deferred may be reduced to an extent sufficient to maintain the net daily rate at the same rate as the soldier was entitled to at his previous rank.”
(5) Next after regulation 50 the following, regulation is inserted:—
“50a. During the period 1st May to 31st October in each year, invalid returned members of the Australian Imperial Force who are in indigent circumstances may, on discharge, be issued with a civilian overcoat at a cost not exceeding 26s., provided that the Principal Medical Officer certifies that such garment is necessary. No monetary allowance shall be made in lieu of such issue.”
‘(6) Regulation 57a is amended by deleting ”8s.” and substituting “9s.” in lieu thereof.
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 1918 No. 161, made under the Defence Act 1903-1917, were enacted to amend the War Financial Regulations and address the financial needs of members of the Australian Imperial Force during World War I. These amendments aimed to ensure that military personnel received appropriate compensation for their roles and duties, particularly those engaged in the transportation of remounts and other specific assignments. The regulations were established by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the urgency and importance of providing financial support to troops and their families during the war.
The policy objective was to provide fair and adequate remuneration for military personnel, recognising their contributions and sacrifices during wartime. This was achieved through adjustments to pay rates and allowances, ensuring that soldiers and officers received appropriate compensation for their service, which was essential for maintaining morale and ensuring the effective operation of military forces during the war.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1918 No. 161, made under the Defence Act 1903-1917, primarily affect members of the Australian Imperial Force, particularly those involved in financial and logistical aspects of the war effort. These regulations govern the rates of pay and allowances for certain military personnel, including Adjutants, Quartermasters, and members engaged in transporting remounts. The scope of these regulations is limited to Commonwealth military personnel involved in specific war-related duties, ensuring that financial provisions are adjusted to meet the demands of the war. The regulations also stipulate conditions under which civilian overcoats can be issued to indigent members of the Australian Imperial Force upon their discharge, subject to certification by the Principal Medical Officer. Geographically, these regulations apply nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all states and territories. The amendments and insertions of these regulations are designed to align with the evolving needs of the war effort, adjusting financial provisions to reflect changes in rank, duty, and necessity.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1917 (C1918L00161) modify several aspects of the War Financial Regulations, primarily focusing on the financial aspects of military service during wartime. Section 1 of the Regulations alters the effective date of changes to the rates of pay for Adjutants and Quartermasters, now effective from 1 January 1918. Section 2 adds an additional payment rate for Adjutants, set at 5 shillings, effective from 1 May 1917. Section 3 introduces new allowances for members of the Australian Imperial Force engaged on specific voyages for the transport of remounts to India, with rates varying from 15 shillings per diem for officers down to 8 shillings per diem for Shoeing Smiths, Drivers, and Privates, but limited to a maximum of 21 days per voyage. Section 4 modifies the rates in regulation 32, replacing specific monetary values and introducing a new condition where the rate of pay held deferred may be adjusted to maintain the soldier's net daily rate of pay. Section 5 adds a new regulation, allowing indigent returned members of the Australian Imperial Force to be issued a civilian overcoat at a cost not exceeding 26 shillings, provided the Principal Medical Officer deems it necessary, with no monetary allowance in lieu of this issue. Finally, Section 6 amends the payment rate in regulation 57a from 8 shillings to 9 shillings.
The Regulations impose specific financial obligations on the military administration. They require adherence to new pay rates for Adjutants and Quartermasters, as well as the provision of special allowances for certain personnel engaged in remount transport voyages. The administration must also ensure that any adjustments to allotments or deferred pay rates do not result in a reduction of a soldier's net daily rate of pay. Furthermore, the Regulations mandate that civilian overcoats be issued to indigent returned members of the Australian Imperial Force, subject to medical certification, and that these be provided at no additional monetary cost to the recipients.
Breaches of these Regulations could result in administrative and financial discrepancies, potentially leading to legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the Regulations themselves, violations of military financial provisions could generally lead to disciplinary actions against military personnel or administrative officers responsible for the oversight of these financial matters. The seriousness of the breach would dictate the severity of the penalties, which could range from administrative reprimands to more severe disciplinary measures in cases of significant financial mismanagement or fraud.