STATUTORY RULES.
1917. No. 252.
REGULATION UNDER THE WAR PRECAUTIONS ACT 1914-1916.
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 forthwith.
Dated this twenty-eighth day of September, 1917.
R. M. FERGUSON.
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
JOSEPH COOK,
for the Minister of State for Defence.
Amendment of the War Precautions (Coal) Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1917, No. 195, as amended by Statutory Rules 1917, No. 240.)
1. The War Precautions (Coal) Regulations are amended by inserting therein, after Regulation 4, the following Regulation:—
Production of books and records.
“4a. (1) The Minister or the Chairman of the Coal Board or any person authorized in that behalf by the Minister or the Chairman may, by notice in writing—
(a) require any person who deals or has dealt in coal or coke to produce for inspection, at any reasonable hour in the day time, his books and records showing the dealings by him in coal or coke since the date of the commencement of these Regulations, and to answer any questions in relation thereto put by the person making the inspection; or
(b) require any person to furnish to the Board a statutory declaration stating—
(i) whether he has, since the date of the commencement of these Regulations, received or supplied any coal or coke; and, if so,
(ii) the name of the person or persons from or to whom any coal or coke was received or supplied; and
(iii) the date or dates upon which any coal or coke was received or supplied; and
(iv) the quantities of coal or coke received or supplied.
“(2.) Any person who fails to comply with any requirement made in pursuance of this Regulation shall be guilty of an offence.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.13110.—Price 3d.
Overview
The War Precautions (Coal) Regulations, enacted in 1917, were introduced to ensure the efficient and controlled use of coal and coke during the First World War. These regulations were made under the authority of the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the urgent need for effective resource management during wartime. The regulations sought to enhance oversight and accountability in the handling and distribution of coal and coke, crucial commodities for the war effort, by requiring those involved in the trade to maintain and produce detailed records of their transactions. The policy objective was to prevent any misuse or hoarding of these essential resources and to facilitate their equitable distribution to meet the demands of the war.
Scope and Application
This statutory rule, numbered 1917 No. 252, constitutes a regulation under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, effective immediately upon its enactment. It is applicable to any individual or entity engaged in the trade or transaction of coal or coke, compelling them to present their records for inspection and answer relevant queries, or to provide a statutory declaration detailing their dealings in coal or coke since the regulation's commencement. The regulation extends its reach to the entire Commonwealth, as it is enacted under federal legislation. The rule also specifies that failure to comply with the imposed requirements constitutes an offence. The regulation's scope is extended and detailed through subordinate instruments, including the War Precautions (Coal) Regulations, as amended.
Key Provisions
The War Precautions (Coal) Regulations, as amended, include a new Regulation 4a (section 1). This regulation mandates that the Minister, the Chairman of the Coal Board, or any authorised person can require individuals involved in the coal or coke trade to produce their records and answer questions related to their dealings in coal or coke since the commencement of the regulations. Additionally, these individuals may be required to provide a statutory declaration detailing whether they have received or supplied coal or coke since the regulations began, including specifics such as the parties involved, dates, and quantities.
These obligations extend to any person who has engaged in the trading of coal or coke. They are required to make available their books and records for inspection at any reasonable time during daylight hours. Furthermore, they must be prepared to furnish detailed information via a statutory declaration, which includes the names of parties involved in transactions, the dates, and the quantities of coal or coke exchanged.
Failure to comply with these requirements is an offence under the regulation. Those who do not produce the necessary records or fail to provide the required statutory declaration as instructed can face legal consequences. This highlights the seriousness with which the regulation views compliance with record-keeping and disclosure requirements, underscoring the importance of adhering to these provisions to avoid potential penalties.