STATUTORY RULES.
1918. No. 173.
REGULATION 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 Regulation, under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-sixth day of June, 1918.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE,
Minister of State for Defence.
Amendment of the War Precautions (Tin Plates) Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1917, No. 3, as amended by Statutory Rules 1917, No. 169.)
1. The War Precautions (Tin Plates) Regulations are amended by adding, after regulation 5, the following regulation:—
Cutting up kerosene &c. tins.
“6.—(1.) No person shall, without the consent in writing of the Minister or of a person duly authorized in that behalf by the Minister, cut up or otherwise destroy, or pierce the side or bottom of, any tin for containing kerosene, petrol, benzine, or other petroleum.
“(2.) Every person who has in his possession any empty tin of the kind specified in sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation shall, on demand by any person duly authorized in that behalf by the Minister, and on payment of the price for the time being fixed under the War Precautions (Prices) Regulations 1916 as the price of any such tins, deliver up to any such authorized person any such empty tin which is in his possession.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The War Precautions (Tin Plates) Regulations 1918 were introduced to address a critical wartime resource management issue during the First World War. Enacted under the authority of the War Precautions Act 1914-1916 by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations aimed to control the use and destruction of tin containers essential for storing flammable materials such as kerosene and petrol. By prohibiting the unauthorised destruction or modification of these tins, the regulation sought to ensure their availability for military and civilian use, thereby supporting the war effort and safeguarding resources vital for both combat and domestic needs. This legislative instrument reflects the policy objective of maintaining strict control over strategic materials during wartime to support national security and resource management.
Scope and Application
The War Precautions (Tin Plates) Regulations, made under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, apply to any person within the Commonwealth of Australia who possesses or intends to cut up, destroy, or pierce the side or bottom of a tin used for containing kerosene, petrol, benzine, or other petroleum products. These regulations necessitate written consent from the Minister or an authorized representative to carry out such actions and require the delivery of empty tins upon demand from authorized persons, at a price set by the War Precautions (Prices) Regulations 1916. The regulations extend nationally across all states and territories of Australia, reflecting the federal nature of the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, and are enforced through subordinate instruments which can further extend or restrict the application of these provisions.
Key Provisions
The regulation under the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, specifically the War Precautions (Tin Plates) Regulations, introduces new provisions to control the handling of certain tins (section 1). Regulation 6 adds a new rule prohibiting individuals from cutting up, destroying, or piercing the side or bottom of tins used to contain kerosene, petrol, benzine, or other petroleum without written consent from the Minister or an authorised person (section 1(1)). Additionally, any person in possession of an empty tin of this kind must surrender it to an authorised person upon demand and upon payment of the current price as determined by the War Precautions (Prices) Regulations 1916 (section 1(2)).
These provisions impose specific obligations on individuals and entities. Individuals are required to obtain written consent from the Minister or an authorised person before cutting up, destroying, or piercing any tins containing kerosene, petrol, benzine, or other petroleum (section 1(1)). Furthermore, any person who possesses an empty tin of these kinds must be prepared to deliver it to an authorised person when requested and after paying the appropriate price (section 1(2)). The regulation also mandates that authorised persons must be able to demand and receive such empty tins, ensuring a controlled and monitored process for these materials.
The regulation also includes provisions for enforcement and consequences. The act of cutting up, destroying, or piercing the tins without consent, or failing to surrender such tins when demanded, may result in legal consequences. While the regulation does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, it operates under the broader framework of the War Precautions Act 1914-1916, which allows for stringent enforcement measures. Breaches of regulations under this act can lead to penalties, which may include fines or other punitive measures as deemed appropriate by the authorities. These measures are designed to ensure strict compliance with the wartime regulations to maintain control over essential resources.