STATUTORY RULES.
1919. No. 147.
REGULATION UNDER THE WAR PRECAUTIONS ACT 1914-1918.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this nineteenth day of June, 1919.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. A. WATT,
for Minister of State for Defence.
Amendment of War Precautions (Coal) Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1917, No. 195, as amended by Statutory Rules 1917, Nos. 240 and 252, and by Statutory Rules 1919, Nos. 103, 119, and 141.)
After regulation 10f of the War Precautions (Coal) Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—
Wages and conditions of employment in coal industry.
“10g. (1) The Prime Minister may, if he thinks fit, give directions as to the rates of wages of persons employed in or in connexion with the production of coal at any coal mine in the Commonwealth other than a coal mine in relation to which an order has been made by the Prime Minister in pursuance of paragraph (2) (b) of regulation 10a of these Regulations.
“(2) Where the Prime Minister has, in pursuance of sub-regulation (1) of this regulation, given directions as to the rates of wages of persons employed in or in connexion with the production of coal at a coal mine, he may by order declare that any contract or agreement, existing at the date of the order, for the supply of coal produced at that mine is varied, in such manner as is specified in the order, in relation to all coal supplied on or after the date specified in the order.”
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 1919, No. 147, issued under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, was enacted to address the need for regulatory adjustments in the coal industry during the post-World War I period. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The regulation aims to amend the War Precautions (Coal) Regulations to allow the Prime Minister to direct wages and employment conditions in the coal industry, ensuring fair labour practices and maintaining the supply of coal during a critical time. The overarching policy objective is to stabilise the coal industry and protect national interests in the aftermath of the war.
Scope and Application
This Statutory Rule, made under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, specifically targets the coal industry within the Commonwealth of Australia. It allows the Prime Minister to issue directives concerning the wages of workers employed in coal mines, excluding those mines where specific orders have been made under previous regulations. The scope of the regulation is limited to coal production and does not extend to other industries or sectors. Additionally, the Prime Minister is empowered to alter existing contracts or agreements for coal supply to align with the newly set wage rates. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth, ensuring a uniform approach to wage management in the coal industry. The provisions of this rule are intended to maintain stability and control within the coal sector during a period of war precautions, underscoring the government's authority to intervene in labour and industrial relations within critical industries.
Key Provisions
The Regulation under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, specifically inserted as regulation 10g, provides the Prime Minister with the authority to set wage rates for workers in the coal industry. This is detailed in section 10g(1), which allows the Prime Minister to issue directions on wages for coal mine workers, except in cases where an order has already been made under section 10a(2)(b) of the same regulation. Furthermore, section 10g(2) permits the Prime Minister to alter existing contracts for coal supply, specifying how these contracts should be modified as per the issued order, affecting all coal supplied post the specified date.
Under this regulation, the Prime Minister is tasked with ensuring fair and equitable wage rates for coal workers and has the authority to make necessary adjustments to existing coal supply contracts. This involves a thorough understanding of the current wage rates and the impact of any proposed changes on the industry and its stakeholders. The regulation also requires the Prime Minister to consider the broader implications of wage adjustments on coal supply agreements, ensuring that any modifications are practical and beneficial for all parties involved.
Failure to comply with the wage directions or the altered contract terms set out by the Prime Minister may result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties are not outlined in the regulation, breaches of such directions or orders could lead to legal actions or administrative penalties as per the overarching provisions of the War Precautions Act 1914-1918. This means that any non-compliance could be pursued through the courts, potentially resulting in fines or other corrective measures to enforce adherence to the Prime Minister's directives.