STATUTORY RULES
1917. No. 34.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE WAR PRECAUTIONS ACT 1914–1916.
War Precautions (Passports) Regulations 1916—Regulation 2— 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 May, 1917.
Dated this fourteenth day of February, 1917.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE,
Minister of State for Defence.
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War Precautions (Passports) Regulations 1916
(Statutory Rule No. 206 of 1916 as amended by Statutory Rule No. 24 of 1917.)
The definition of the word “passport” in Regulation 2 (Statutory Rule No. 24 of 1917) which reads as follows:—
“Passport” means a passport issued or renewed not more than two years previously by, or on behalf of, the Government of the country of which the person to whom it relates is a subject or citizen, and which is still in force, to which there is attached a photograph of the person to whom it relates.
is cancelled and the following substituted therefor:—
“Passport” means a passport issued or renewed not more than two years previously by, or on behalf of, the Government of the country of which the person to whom it relates is a subject or citizen, which contains a personal description sufficient to identify that person, to which is attached a photograph of that person, and which is still in force; and in the case of a British subject includes a certificate of nationality, issued by a British Consul or other officer authorized to issue such certificates, which contains a personal description sufficient to identify the person to whom it relates, to which is attached a photograph of that person, and which is still in force.
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.1988.—Price 3d.
Overview
The War Precautions (Passports) Regulations 1916, enacted in 1917 by the Governor-General in Council, address the need to enhance passport regulations during the period of the First World War. These regulations were introduced to provide the government with greater control over the issuance and validity of passports, ensuring they contained the necessary personal identification details to verify the identity of the passport holder. This legislative instrument was made under the authority of the War Precautions Act 1914–1916, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining national security during wartime. The amendment, specifically to Regulation 2, refines the definition of a passport to include more comprehensive identification requirements, thus addressing potential issues of identity verification and fraud that could have arisen during the war period.
Scope and Application
The War Precautions (Passports) Regulations 1916, as amended, apply to any passport issued or renewed by, or on behalf of, the Government of a country to its subjects or citizens. This includes passports containing a personal description sufficient to identify the holder, a photograph, and a certificate of nationality for British subjects. The regulations are in force within the Commonwealth of Australia and are administered under the War Precautions Act 1914–1916. The regulation specifies that passports must be current, meaning they should have been issued or renewed within the last two years. Any exemptions or exclusions from the regulation are not explicitly stated in the text provided. The regulations can be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, as permitted by the overarching Act.
Key Provisions
The War Precautions (Passports) Regulations 1916, particularly Regulation 2, outlines the definition of a "passport" with specific stipulations (Regulation 2). A passport must be issued or renewed within two years by the government of the country of which the person is a subject or citizen, contain a personal description sufficient for identification, have an attached photograph, and remain in force. For British subjects, an additional requirement is the inclusion of a certificate of nationality issued by an authorized British official, which must also contain a personal description, an attached photograph, and be in force.
These regulations impose specific requirements on individuals who hold a passport. Passports must meet the stringent criteria outlined in the legislation, including the incorporation of personal descriptions and photographs, and the validity period of two years post-issuance or renewal. For British subjects, the requirement extends to obtaining a certificate of nationality from an authorized official, which must also meet the same criteria as stated above. These requirements ensure that passports are accurate and current, aiding in identification and verification processes.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences. Although the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the excerpt provided, it is reasonable to infer that any breach of these passport regulations could lead to penalties under the overarching War Precautions Act 1914–1916. Such penalties may include fines or other sanctions as prescribed by the Act, reflecting the importance of adhering to the stipulated passport requirements during wartime.