STATUTORY RULES.
1922. No. 15.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1918.
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 1903-1918, to come into operation from the dates specified.
Dated this twenty-fourth day of January, 1922.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
GRANVILLE RYRIE,
For Minister of State for Defence.
War Financial Regulations.
Amendment.
War Financial Regulations are amended as follows:—
(a) Regulations 5b and 6 are repealed and the following regulations inserted in lieu thereof:—
“5b. Staff Nurses may be promoted to rank of Sister upon completion of two full years’ satisfactory service with the Australian Imperial Force.”
“6. After two years’ efficient service with the Australian Imperial Force the pay of a Masseuse may be increased by 2s. 6d. per diem”
(To take effect as from 1st August, 1914.)
(b) After regulation 21 add new regulation:—
“21a. An allowance not exceeding £8 may be paid to a member of the Australian Army Nursing Service, A.I.F., who served in Salonica or who served in France during the winter of 1916—17 or winter months prior thereto, towards the cost of the purchase of extra warm clothing required for the cold climates.”
(To take effect as from 1st January, 1921.)
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.357.—Price 3d.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1922 No. 15, titled "Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918," was enacted by the Governor-General in Council to amend the War Financial Regulations, thereby addressing certain financial and service-related matters for personnel within the Australian Imperial Force. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure that members of the Australian Army Nursing Service and other personnel received appropriate compensation and recognition for their service, particularly in challenging conditions. The policy objective is to provide fair and adequate remuneration and allowances to military nursing staff who served in harsh climates, as well as to establish clear promotion criteria for staff nurses. This regulation reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting and recognising the contributions of its military personnel during and after periods of conflict.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules of 1922, Number 15, issued under the Defence Act 1903-1918, pertain specifically to the amendment of War Financial Regulations. These regulations apply to staff nurses and masseuses within the Australian Imperial Force, as well as members of the Australian Army Nursing Service who served in Salonica or France during the specified winter months. The amendments focus on the promotion criteria for staff nurses, increasing the pay of masseuses based on their service duration, and providing an allowance for nurses who served in cold climates. The regulations are designed to address the financial needs of these service members in recognition of their contributions during wartime, with specific effective dates outlined for each amendment. The scope of these regulations is limited to the financial aspects of service personnel, and the application is geographically and temporally confined to those who served during and immediately after the First World War.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of these Regulations, which are amendments to the War Financial Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918, primarily concern the promotion of staff nurses and the pay increases for masseuses within the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), as well as allowances for nursing service members who served in particularly cold climates (Regulations 5b, 6 and 21a). Regulation 5b specifies that staff nurses can be promoted to the rank of Sister after completing two years of satisfactory service with the AIF. Regulation 6 provides for an increase in the pay of a Masseuse by 2s. 6d. per diem after two years of efficient service with the AIF, effective from 1st August, 1914. Furthermore, Regulation 21a introduces an allowance of up to £8 for members of the Australian Army Nursing Service who served in Salonica or in France during the winter of 1916-17, or the preceding winter months, to cover the cost of extra warm clothing, effective from 1st January, 1921.
These Regulations impose specific obligations on the Australian Imperial Force regarding the career progression and remuneration of staff nurses and masseuses, as well as the provision of allowances for nursing service members who served in cold climates. The AIF is required to ensure that staff nurses who meet the service criteria are promoted to the rank of Sister. Similarly, masseuses must have their pay increased after two years of efficient service, as stipulated in the Regulations. Additionally, the AIF must provide the specified allowance to eligible nursing service members who served in particularly cold climates to assist with the purchase of extra warm clothing.
The Regulations do not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches of these provisions. However, the non-compliance with these financial regulations could potentially lead to disciplinary actions against the relevant authorities within the AIF for failing to adhere to the stipulated guidelines concerning promotions, pay increases, and allowances. The absence of explicit penalties in the Regulations might suggest that enforcement would rely on internal disciplinary measures rather than formal legal sanctions.