STATUTORY RULES.
1915. No. 253.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE WAR PRECAUTIONS ACT 1914-1915.
War Precautions Regulations 1915.—Regulation 56c.—Addition.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of, Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the following Regulation under the War Precautions Act 1914-1915 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this fifteenth day of December, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE.
WAR PRECAUTIONS REGULATIONS 1915.
Addition.
After Regulation 56b, insert the following new Regulation:—
Interned persons subject to same rule of discipline as prisoners of war.
“56c. All persons detained in military custody under a warrant of the Minister issued under the authority of these Regulations shall be deemed to be subject to the Royal Warrant with respect to the maintenance of discipline among prisoners of war dated the third day of August, One thousand nine hundred and fourteen, and to any other Royal Warrant or Prerogative Order issued in addition to or in substitution therefor, and to all Regulations and Rules attached to or made under the authority of any such Warrant or Order, in the same manner and to the same extent as if they were prisoners of war.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.18195.—Price 3d.
Overview
The War Precautions Regulations 1915, enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of the War Precautions Act 1914-1915, address the need for stringent measures to maintain order and discipline during wartime. The urgency and gravity of the situation necessitated immediate action, leading to the certification of these Provisional Regulations. These regulations, particularly Regulation 56c, ensure that individuals detained under the authority of the Minister are subject to the same disciplinary rules as prisoners of war. This aligns with the overarching policy objective of maintaining order and discipline among all detained individuals, thereby ensuring a unified approach to managing the challenges posed by wartime conditions. The enactment by the Governor-General in Council reflects the swift and decisive measures required to address the immediate needs of the nation during wartime.
Scope and Application
The War Precautions Regulations 1915, specifically Regulation 56c, applies to any person detained in military custody under a warrant of the Minister issued under the authority of these Regulations. This regulation ensures that all individuals who are detained as a result of the provisions of the War Precautions Act 1914-1915 are to be subject to the same rules of discipline as prisoners of war. This includes adherence to the Royal Warrant of August 3, 1914, and any subsequent Royal Warrants, Prerogative Orders, Regulations, or Rules that might be issued in place of or in addition to the original directive. The scope of these regulations extends nationally, given that they are issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and are applicable to all persons within its jurisdiction during the period of emergency declared under the War Precautions Act. These regulations are an urgent measure designed to maintain discipline and order among those detained during wartime, reflecting the broad powers granted to the Commonwealth in times of national crisis.
Key Provisions
The War Precautions Regulations 1915, specifically Regulation 56c, stipulate that any person detained in military custody under a warrant issued by the Minister must adhere to the same discipline rules as prisoners of war. This includes compliance with the Royal Warrant dated 3 August 1914, and any subsequent Royal Warrants or Prerogative Orders that replace or supplement it, along with all related regulations and rules (Reg. 56c). These provisions ensure that interned individuals are governed by a structured set of rules designed to maintain order and discipline.
These regulations impose certain obligations on those detained under military custody. Firstly, they are required to abide by the strict discipline rules outlined in the Royal Warrant and any subsequent orders, ensuring a standardised approach to the treatment and management of detained individuals (Reg. 56c). Additionally, they must comply with any additional regulations and rules that are made under the authority of the aforementioned warrants and orders, thereby creating a comprehensive framework for their conduct and interaction within the detention environment.
Failure to comply with the stipulations outlined in the War Precautions Regulations 1915 may result in various consequences. The specific legal repercussions for breaching these regulations are not detailed within the provided text; however, it is implied that non-compliance could lead to disciplinary actions or further legal penalties. Given the context of wartime and the stringent nature of these regulations, the penalties for non-compliance could be severe, reflecting the importance of adhering to these rules for maintaining order and security during wartime conditions.