Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1917

Overview

The Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1917 was enacted to amend the existing Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1912. This Act was introduced to extend the duration of the bounty for the discovery of rock phosphate from five years to ten years, thereby providing a longer period for incentives to encourage the discovery and development of rock phosphate resources. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, the policy objective of this legislation was to stimulate the exploration and utilisation of rock phosphate deposits, which were considered valuable for agricultural and industrial purposes. By extending the bounty period, the Act aimed to foster sustained interest and investment in the identification and extraction of rock phosphate, thus supporting broader economic and agricultural development within the country.

Scope and Application

The Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1917 amends the Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1912, extending the duration of certain bounties related to wood pulp and rock phosphate from five years to ten years. This Act applies to entities and individuals engaged in the production and discovery of wood pulp and rock phosphate within the Commonwealth of Australia. The extended duration of the bounties is aimed at encouraging continued investment and development in these industries. The amended Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions from its application, and it encompasses any changes made to the original Principal Act through this legislation. The scope of the Act is not further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as per the provided text. The geographic reach of the Act is national, applying uniformly across Australia, and it is effective as of its assent on 22nd September, 1917.

Key Provisions

The Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1917, as amended, makes several key changes to the existing Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1912 (sections 1 to 4). Firstly, it extends the period during which certain bounties may be paid from five to ten years. This is done by amending section 2 and section 8 of the Principal Act, as well as the Schedule to the Principal Act, replacing the term "five years" with "ten years" (sections 2 and 3). These changes are intended to provide more time for eligible recipients to claim the specified bounties. Under this amended Act, the obligations for parties or entities involved in the wood pulp and rock phosphate industries are primarily concerned with adhering to the extended timelines for bounty claims. For example, those who have discovered rock phosphate deposits must now ensure that their claims are submitted within the ten-year period outlined in the amended legislation (section 3). Additionally, the relevant authorities must be prepared to process and pay out these bounties over the extended timeframe. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act may result in consequences for the parties involved. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties or offences for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that any breach of the extended bounty claim periods could lead to disputes or legal action. In such cases, the courts may consider the statutory amendments and their intent in resolving any conflicts that arise from misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the extended timelines. In summary, the Wood Pulp and Rock Phosphate Bounties Act 1917 extends the period during which certain bounties may be paid from five to ten years, affecting both claimants and authorities. While the Act does not explicitly outline penalties or offences for non-compliance, it is reasonable to assume that any disputes arising from misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the extended timelines will be resolved with reference to the statutory amendments and their intent.