War Financial Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1917 No. 221, enacted by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, amends the War Financial Regulations to address the need for providing soldiers with plain clothes upon discharge. This regulation came into operation immediately upon its enactment. It was made under the authority of the Defence Act 1903-1915, reflecting the government's commitment to ensuring that soldiers are adequately supplied with necessary items upon their discharge from service. The policy objective is to support the welfare of soldiers by facilitating their transition back into civilian life, while also ensuring financial prudence by only providing plain clothes to those who genuinely require them.

Scope and Application

This statutory rule, numbered 1917 No. 221, is an amendment to the War Financial Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1915, made by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. It applies to soldiers who are discharged from service, specifically addressing the provision of plain clothes and a cap to these soldiers. The regulation applies to any soldier discharged from the Australian Imperial Force, whether or not they are in possession of plain clothes. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, applying to all soldiers within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation provides for the issuance of plain clothes and a cap to soldiers upon discharge, either as an open order for a suit valued up to 30 shillings or as a direct supply from the Ordnance Department, also not exceeding 30 shillings. It excludes soldiers with less than three months' service who are discharged for disciplinary reasons, who must pay for their plain clothes if they choose to receive them. The regulation effectively outlines the financial responsibilities of the Commonwealth towards discharged soldiers regarding their plain clothes and headgear, setting a clear threshold and conditions for the provision of these items.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1917 No. 221 regulation include the repeal of Regulation 50 of War Financial Regulations dated 28th February 1917 (Statutory Rules 1917 No. 49) and the introduction of a new Regulation in its place. Specifically, section 50 of the regulation addresses the provision of plain clothes and a cap to soldiers upon discharge. It mandates that soldiers who are not in possession of plain clothes upon discharge will be given an open order for a suit of plain clothes and a cap, with a total value of 30 shillings (s). Alternatively, soldiers who prefer to be supplied with the plain clothes can have them provided by the Ordnance Department at a cost not exceeding 30s, issued free of charge. However, for soldiers with less than three months' service in the Australian Imperial Force who are discharged for disciplinary reasons, the plain clothes will be issued, but a deduction of 30s will be made from their pay if they request the clothing. The obligations imposed by this regulation primarily concern the Australian Defence Force and the Ordnance Department. The Australian Defence Force is responsible for ensuring that soldiers discharged without plain clothes are either given an open order or supplied with the clothing at no charge, unless they fall into the specified disciplinary category. The Ordnance Department must provide the plain clothes at the stipulated cost and handle the deductions from the pay of soldiers discharged for disciplinary reasons. These obligations are aimed at ensuring that soldiers are appropriately equipped upon their discharge, while also managing the financial implications for those discharged under certain conditions. In terms of consequences for breach, the regulation does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. However, the financial deductions stipulated for soldiers discharged for disciplinary reasons imply a mechanism for enforcement. The regulation ensures that soldiers who are discharged for disciplinary reasons and still require plain clothes will have their pay reduced by 30s to cover the cost of the clothing. This financial penalty serves as a deterrent against non-compliance with the specified procedures for the provision of plain clothes upon discharge. While the regulation does not detail further sanctions, the structured financial deduction implies a clear consequence for not adhering to the outlined provisions.