War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations 1917 (Amendment)

Legislation au C1917L00132 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1917. No. 132.

 

REGULATIONS 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 Regulations, under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, to come into operation forthwith.

Dated this thirteenth day of June, 1917.

R. M. FERGUSON,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

G. F. PEARCE,

Minister of State for Defence.

 

Amendment of War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations 1917.

(Statutory Rules 1917, No. 98.)

1. After Regulation 2 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations the following regulations are inserted:—

Executive officer.

“2a. There shall be an Executive Officer, appointed by the Prime Minister, who shall, for the purposes of these Regulations, have such powers as may be conferred on him by the Prime Minister.”

Authorized officer.

“2b. For the purposes of these Regulations the Prime Minister may appoint any person to be an authorized officer, and each such person is, in these Regulations, referred to as an authorized officer.”

Local committee.

“2c. (1) There shall be in each State, where the Prime Minister thinks necessary, a local Committee, appointed by the Prime Minister, consisting of an authorized officer, one representative of the rabbit skin brokers, one representative of the exporters of rabbit skins, and one representative of the industries engaged in the manufacture and preparation of materials in which rabbit skins are used.

“(2) The local Committee in each State appointed under sub-regulation (1) of this regulation shall select and, if necessary, periodically revise, the samples of rabbit skins to be used by the Government Agents in that State.”

2. Regulation 5 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1) thereof, after the word “skins” (first occurring), the words “in dry and marketable condition.”

C.7636.—Price 3d.


3. Regulation 6 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations is amended by inserting, after the word “grade,” the words “or condition.”

4. Regulation 9 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Disposal of skins purchased by Government agent.

“9. Rabbit skins purchased by Government Agents shall be disposed of as follows:—

(a) Local manufactures, upon proof to the satisfaction of an authorized officer of their requirements, shall be entitled to supplies to meet those requirements at the price set forth in Regulation 5 of these Regulations; and

(b) The remainder of the rabbit skins shall, unless the Prime Minister otherwise directs, be disposed of by public auction on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.”

5. After Regulation 9 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—

Resale of rabbit skins to Government agent an offence.

“9a. Any person, firm, or company who or which, without the consent in writing of the Prime Minister, proof whereof shall lie upon the accused, sells or offers for sale to any Government Agent any rabbit skins which have been purchased from any Government Agent shall be guilty of an offence.”

6. Regulation 12 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations is amended by omitting therefrom the words “officer authorized by the Prime Minister” and inserting in their stead the words “authorized officer.”

7. Regulation 13 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations is amended by omitting therefrom the words “officer authorized by the Prime Minister” and inserting in their stead the words “authorized officer.”

8. After Regulation 13 of the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—

Powers of authorized officer.

“13a. (1) For the purposes of these Regulations every authorized officer shall have power to—

(a) ask questions, require returns to be furnished, and require the production of documents in relation to the purchase, sale, disposal, origin or treatment of any rabbit skins or articles manufactured therefrom; and

(b) enter at any reasonable hour in the day-time upon any premises or place in which there are, or are believed by him to be, any rabbit skins, and inspect any rabbit skins therein or any plant or process for the treatment of rabbit skins.

“(2) Any person who refuses or fails to answer questions, furnish returns, or produce documents asked for or required in pursuance of this regulation, or who resists, obstructs, or in any way interferes with an authorized officer in the exercise of any power conferred upon him by 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.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1917, No. 132, made under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, were introduced to regulate the collection, sale, and distribution of rabbit skins during World War I. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations aimed to ensure a steady supply of rabbit skins for both domestic manufacturing and export, which were vital for the war effort. The policy objective was to streamline the collection and distribution process while preventing the resale of government-purchased skins, thereby maintaining control over this essential resource. The regulations provided for the appointment of an Executive Officer and authorized officers by the Prime Minister, the establishment of local committees in each state, and set out the procedures for the disposal of rabbit skins, including public auctions and sales to local manufacturers.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, specifically the War Precautions (Rabbit Skins) Regulations 1917, apply to individuals, firms, and companies involved in the purchase, sale, disposal, and treatment of rabbit skins within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations were enacted to manage the handling of rabbit skins during the war period, ensuring efficient procurement and distribution for the government and local industries. The regulations establish an Executive Officer and authorized officers, who are appointed by the Prime Minister, to oversee compliance and enforce the provisions. Additionally, local committees are formed in each state, comprising representatives from various sectors, to assist in the management and selection of rabbit skin samples. The regulations cover the entire Commonwealth, with specific powers and responsibilities delegated to the authorized officers, who can enter premises and inspect rabbit skins or related manufacturing processes. Any person or entity found in breach of these regulations, such as reselling rabbit skins to government agents without consent, is liable to face legal consequences.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of these Regulations under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916 include the appointment of an Executive Officer (Regulation 2a) and authorized officers (Regulation 2b), the establishment of local committees in each State (Regulation 2c), and the amendment of existing regulations concerning the condition of rabbit skins, their disposal, and resale (Regulations 5, 9, and 9a). These regulations also provide specific powers to authorized officers, such as the ability to ask questions, require documents, and inspect premises (Regulation 13a). These provisions collectively outline the framework for the management and control of rabbit skins during wartime. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on parties and entities governed by these Regulations. Firstly, the Prime Minister has the authority to appoint an Executive Officer and authorized officers, who are tasked with enforcing the Regulations (Regulations 2a and 2b). Local committees in each State, composed of representatives from relevant industries, are responsible for selecting and revising samples of rabbit skins used by Government Agents (Regulation 2c). Additionally, authorized officers must be provided with necessary information and access to premises for inspection (Regulation 13a). These provisions ensure that the management of rabbit skins is coordinated and monitored effectively. Breach of these Regulations can result in significant legal consequences. For example, Regulation 9a explicitly states that any person, firm, or company selling or offering to sell rabbit skins to a Government Agent without written consent from the Prime Minister commits an offence. Similarly, Regulation 13aa makes it an offence to refuse or fail to answer questions, furnish returns, or produce documents required by an authorized officer. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of such wartime regulations typically carry significant penalties, which may include fines or imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of non-compliance during a period of national emergency.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.