War Precautions (Coal) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1919, No. 182, issued under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, aim to amend the War Precautions (Coal) Regulations. This legislation was introduced by the Deputy of the Governor-General, Sir Arthur Lyulph Stanley, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, in an effort to address specific wartime measures relating to the use of coal and energy resources. The policy objective of these regulations was to ensure stringent controls over the use of coal and other energy sources during the period of heightened national security concerns during the First World War. These amendments were made to enhance the enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance with energy restrictions put in place to conserve resources for the war effort.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules of 1919, No. 182, issued under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, applies to the entirety of the Commonwealth of Australia and is aimed at ensuring compliance with wartime regulations, particularly concerning the use of coal. The regulation amends the War Precautions (Coal) Regulations, affecting individuals and entities involved in the use or distribution of coal and those responsible for managing public utilities. The scope of the regulation extends to the prohibition of the use of electric current or gas during specified hours, and it imposes penalties for non-compliance with these restrictions. Notably, this regulation mandates that during the prohibited hours, individuals must ensure that the main or service switches for electric current are cut off and that gas stopcocks are turned off, with failure to comply constituting an offence. This legislative instrument underscores the government's authority to enact and enforce stringent measures to conserve resources during wartime, reflecting the overarching intent of the War Precautions Act to support national security and resource management.

Key Provisions

The War Precautions (Coal) Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1919, No. 182, primarily focus on the regulation of coal usage and related activities, particularly concerning the use of electric current and gas during certain hours. Regulation 8a has been revised to clarify that the prohibition now applies to the use of "current" instead of "light" and includes the requirement to keep electrical switches and gas stopcocks turned off during specified hours (Regulation 8a(3)). This regulation underscores the necessity for strict adherence to prescribed hours of operation for coal usage, particularly in the context of wartime measures. These regulations impose several obligations on individuals and entities involved in the use of coal and related utilities. Firstly, they must ensure that any use of electric current or gas is strictly within the hours allowed by any notices issued under these regulations. This includes maintaining electrical switches and gas stopcocks in an off position during the prohibited hours. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in legal consequences, as outlined in the regulations. Breach of the regulations can lead to significant consequences. Specifically, Regulation 8a(3) states that any person who fails or neglects to adhere to the requirements during the prohibited hours will be guilty of an offence. This includes failing to keep the current at the main or service switches cut off or stopcocks turned off, as mandated. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of regulations under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918 can typically lead to fines or other legal actions as prescribed by the Act.