STATUTORY RULES.
1919. No. 179.
REGULATIONS 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 Regulations under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this tenth day of July, 1919
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. J. RUSSELL,
Acting Minister of State for Defence.
Amendment of War Precautions (Supplementary) Regulations as Amended to this Date.
1. Regulation 2 of the War Precautions (Supplementary) Regulations is amended—
(a) by inserting in sub-regulation (1.), after the word “word” (fourth and last occurring), the words “or mark”;
(b) by inserting in sub-regulations (2.), (3.) and (4.), after the word “word” (wherever occurring), the words “or mark”; and
(c) by inserting in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (4), after the word “words” the words “or marks”;.
2. Regulation 2a of the War Precautions (Supplementary) Regulations is amended by inserting, after the word “word” (fourth and last occurring), the words “or mark”.
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 1919 No. 179, enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, addresses the need to amend existing regulations to incorporate both words and marks as potential means of conveying information deemed necessary during the wartime period. These regulations were introduced to ensure comprehensive control over communication and information dissemination to maintain national security and to mitigate any risks that could potentially arise from the use of either written or visual symbols. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, aiming to swiftly implement necessary adjustments to the existing War Precautions (Supplementary) Regulations. The overarching policy objective was to fortify the legislative framework supporting the nation's defence and security during and immediately following the First World War.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918 apply to all individuals, entities, and conduct within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations were designed to address specific wartime measures and are aimed at enhancing national security by making certain activities subject to legal control. These amendments primarily focus on expanding the scope of controlled expressions from words to include marks, thereby tightening the regulations' oversight over communication that could be deemed detrimental during wartime. The regulations apply nationally, impacting all states and territories within Australia. While the document does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or specific thresholds, the overarching intent is to provide broad coverage across various industries and conduct that could potentially affect national security or wartime operations. The regulations are implemented with the authority of the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and come into immediate effect upon issuance.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1919 No. 179, make several key amendments to the War Precautions (Supplementary) Regulations as Amended to this Date. Regulation 2 is notably amended to include "mark" in several places. Specifically, in sub-regulation (1.), after the word "word" (fourth and last occurring), the words "or mark" are inserted. This change is also reflected in sub-regulations (2.), (3.), and (4.), where "or mark" follows "word" wherever it occurs. Furthermore, in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (4), after the word "words," the words "or marks" are added. Additionally, Regulation 2a is amended by inserting "or mark" after the word "word" (fourth and last occurring).
These amendments impose obligations on parties and entities governed by the War Precautions (Supplementary) Regulations. Essentially, these changes expand the scope of what constitutes prohibited communication or identification, now including both words and marks. This broader definition means that any form of communication or identification by word or mark that was previously restricted now falls under the purview of these regulations. Compliance with these amended provisions is necessary to avoid any legal repercussions.
The Regulations impose strict obligations on individuals and entities to ensure that no prohibited words or marks are used in any form of communication or identification. This includes written, spoken, or visual means. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to legal consequences. The Regulations are clear that any breach of the amended provisions can result in enforcement actions.
The consequences for breaching these Regulations can be severe. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, it is common under the War Precautions Act 1914-1918 for penalties to include fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties would be determined based on the severity and circumstances of the breach, as well as any additional provisions under the primary Act. Given the historical context and the wartime nature of these regulations, penalties could be significant, reflecting the seriousness with which such breaches were treated during the period.