STATUTORY RULES.
1920. No. 119.
REGULATION UNDER THE WAR PRECAUTIONS ACT 1914-1918.
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 1914-1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this seventh day of July, 1920.
R.M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E.J. RUSSELL,
for Minister of State for Defence.
———
Amendment of the War Precautions (Shipping) Regulations 1918.
(Statutory Rules 1918, No.87, as amended by Statutory Rules 1918, Nos. 90, 112, 131, 185 and 284, and Statutory Rules 1919, No. 98.)
Regulation 21 of the War Precautions (Shipping) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—
Expenditure to be defrayed out of moneys appropriated by Parliament.
“21 Where the revenue derived from the operations of the vessels controlled by the Committee is insufficient to defray all the expenditure involved in the execution of these Regulations, so much of the expenditure as cannot be so defrayed may be defrayed from moneys appropriated by Parliament for the purpose.”
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 1920, No. 119, made under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, addresses a financial gap in the management of shipping operations during and immediately after the First World War. Enacted by the Governor-General in the Commonwealth of Australia, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations were designed to ensure that the necessary expenditures for the execution of the War Precautions (Shipping) Regulations could be met even when the revenue from controlled vessels was insufficient. This legislative instrument aims to guarantee the continued functionality and oversight of maritime activities crucial to national security and post-war recovery efforts. The regulation explicitly states that any shortfall in funding required for these operations will be covered by appropriations from Parliament, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the mandated activities.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 119, issued under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, pertains to the amendment of the War Precautions (Shipping) Regulations 1918. This legislation applies to vessels controlled by the relevant committee and aims to ensure that all expenditures required for the execution of the shipping regulations are adequately funded. Specifically, it addresses the financial shortfalls that may arise when the revenue generated from these vessels does not cover the necessary costs. In such instances, the regulation allows for the deficit to be covered by funds appropriated by Parliament. The scope of this regulation is limited to Commonwealth waters and the vessels operating within this jurisdiction, thereby ensuring that wartime shipping precautions are effectively enforced and financially supported. The regulation also clarifies that any additional costs not covered by existing revenues will be met through parliamentary appropriations, ensuring continuity and effectiveness in the enforcement of wartime shipping precautions.
Key Provisions
The regulation primarily amends the War Precautions (Shipping) Regulations 1918 (sections referenced within the regulation). The key operative section is the replacement of Regulation 21, which now provides that if the revenue from the vessels controlled by the Committee is insufficient to cover all expenses incurred under the Regulations, the shortfall can be met by funds appropriated by Parliament (section 21). This alteration ensures that the necessary financial resources are available to continue operations effectively.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this regulation are focused on financial management and resource allocation. The regulation mandates that the Committee ensure the efficient use of revenue from the controlled vessels, but it also recognises that in some instances, additional funding from Parliament may be necessary. This requirement underscores the importance of fiscal responsibility while also allowing for flexibility in funding to meet operational needs.
Breaching the provisions of this regulation, particularly if it results in the inability to maintain necessary operations due to financial shortfalls, could have significant consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the regulation, breaches of similar nature under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918 could lead to civil or criminal penalties. Such penalties might include fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the breach. The regulation’s focus on ensuring sufficient funding implies that any failure to comply could be viewed seriously, potentially leading to enforcement actions to uphold the intended operations.