STATUTORY RULES.
1917. No. 107.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE WAR PRECAUTIONS ACT 1914-1916.
War Precautions (Aliens Registration) Regulations 1916— Form E—Amendment.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, to come into operation on and from the 1st July, 1917.
Dated this eighteenth day of May, One thousand nine hundred and seventeen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command.
E. J. RUSSELL,
for Minister of State for Defence.
War Precautions (Aliens Registration) Regulations 1916.
Amendment.
Form E of the Schedule is amended by substituting the following for the paragraph commencing “An alien who has a place of abode”:—
“An alien who has a place of abode in the Commonwealth and is about to change it is required, before changing his place of abode, to fill up three copies of this notice and to attend with them before the member of the police force (Aliens Registration Officer) in charge of the police station nearest to his place of abode. If the alien’s place of abode is distant more than 10 miles from the office of that officer, the notices may be sent by post or messenger to him.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.6176.—Price 3d.
Overview
The War Precautions (Aliens Registration) Regulations 1916 were enacted as part of the War Precautions Act 1914-1916 to address the need for heightened security measures during wartime, particularly concerning the registration and monitoring of aliens within Australia. This legislative instrument was made by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of the Act, aiming to ensure that aliens inform the authorities of any changes to their place of residence. The policy objective is to maintain a comprehensive registry of aliens and their whereabouts, thereby facilitating surveillance and control to safeguard national security during periods of conflict. The regulation specifically mandates that aliens must fill out and submit multiple copies of a notice form to the relevant police officer before relocating, with provisions for those living more than 10 miles from the nearest police station to send the forms by post or messenger.
Scope and Application
The War Precautions (Aliens Registration) Regulations 1916, as amended by Statutory Rules 1917 No. 107, pertain to aliens residing in the Commonwealth of Australia who are required to register their details with the relevant authorities. Specifically, the regulations mandate that any alien planning to change their place of abode must complete three copies of a designated notice form and present these to the Aliens Registration Officer at the nearest police station. For those living more than 10 miles away from the officer’s office, the notices can be sent by post or messenger. These regulations are designed to ensure that the authorities maintain accurate records of alien residents' locations, thereby facilitating control and monitoring during times of national security concern. The application of these regulations is nationwide, extending to all states and territories within the Commonwealth of Australia, and they are enforced under the overarching War Precautions Act 1914-1916.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the War Precautions (Aliens Registration) Regulations 1916 (as amended) require aliens who have a place of abode in the Commonwealth and are about to change it, to complete three copies of a specified notice before moving. These completed notices must then be presented to the member of the police force designated as the Aliens Registration Officer at the nearest police station (section 1). If the alien's current place of abode is more than 10 miles from the officer's office, the notices may be sent by post or messenger (section 2).
These regulations impose specific obligations on aliens. They must fill out three copies of the notice detailing their intended change of address and present these to the designated Aliens Registration Officer. This requirement ensures that authorities are informed of any changes in the aliens' place of residence, which is crucial for maintaining security records during wartime (section 1). The provision allowing notices to be sent by post or messenger if the police station is more than 10 miles away ensures compliance is feasible despite geographical constraints (section 2).
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, breaches of wartime regulations typically carry significant penalties, which could include fines or imprisonment. These measures are intended to enforce compliance and ensure that all aliens provide the necessary information to maintain security and control during the war period (section 3).