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Commonwealth legislation
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
These regulations create a three-member Munitions Supply Board to run government munitions factories in the 1920s, set financial controls and operational rules for established facilities, and prescribe detailed employment conditions, wages, hours, leave, and safety/compensation arrangements.
They affect the Board, factory managers, thousands of munitions workers and the Australian Defence Force—serving as the administrative backbone for domestic arms production and public‑sector industrial standards between the World Wars.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Munitions Supply Regulations.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
STATUTORY RULES.
1925. No. 221.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903–1918.
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 Defence Act 1903–1918, to come into operation as from 1st January, 1926.
Dated this eighteenth day of December, 1925.
STONEHAVEN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
NEVILLE HOWSE,
Minister of State for Defence.
Part I.—Preliminary.
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Munitions Supply Regulations.
2. These Regulations are divided into parts as follow:—
Part I.—Preliminary.
Part II.—Functions of Boards, &c.
Part III.—Administrative.
Division I.—Attendance and duties of employees.
Division II.—Leave of absence and holidays.
Division III.—Hours of duty and overtime.
Division IV.—Travelling and removal allowances.
Division V.—General.
Part IV.—Pay of employees.
Division I.—Pay.
Division II.—Miscellaneous.
Part II.—Functions of Boards, etc.
3. The Munitions Supply Regulations and Regulations for the conduct and management of Government Factories now in force are hereby repealed, save as to any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred thereunder.
4. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—
“The Act” means the Defence Act 1903–18, and includes all amendments thereof.
“Minister” means the Minister of State for Defence.
“Board” means the Munitions Supply Board.
C.14058.—Price 8d.
“Establishment” means a Government munitions establishment, building, factory, laboratory, range, or work, established in pursuance of section 63 of the Act, and placed under the control of the Board by the Minister.
“Manager” means the general manager or manager, or superintendent, or chief inspector of a Government munitions establishment or any person appointed by the Board to take charge of a munitions establishment.
“Officer” means a person who is appointed by the Governor-General under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922–24, or sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 63 of the Act, in a permanent capacity on the staff of an establishment.
“Foreman” means a person appointed in a permanent capacity by the Governor-General to be a foreman in the Government Munitions Establishments in pursuance of sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 63 of the Act.
“Employees” shall be persons (other than officers or foremen) who are employed, in pursuance of sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 63 of the Act, in a civil capacity in connexion with the Department of Defence, and who are engaged by a Manager.
Munitions Supply Board.
5. (1) There shall be a Munitions Supply Board which shall have, hold, exercise and perform, subject to the control of the Minister, such powers, functions and duties affecting the provision of the munitions and other supplies of the Defence Force as may be vested in or conferred upon it by regulations or assigned to it by the Minister.
(2) The Board and its subordinate activities shall be constituted a civil branch of the Department of Defence.
(3) In addition to any other powers or functions conferred upon it as aforesaid the Board shall be charged with the following matters:—
(a) Provision of such armament, arms, ammunition, equipment, supplies and stores of all kinds as may be demanded by the responsible authorities and duly approved.
(b) Research.
(c) Inspection and examination of supplies obtained in Australia other than food, forage and fuel supplies, up to the point of issue to the service.
(d) Administration of establishments established or to be established under section 63 of the Act and placed under the control, of the Board.
(4) The Board shall maintain close liaison with the Boards charged with the command and administration of the Naval, Military, and Air Forces.
6. (1) The Board shall consist of the Controller-General of Munitions Supply and two Controllers, who shall be officers of the Department, to be appointed by the Minister.
(2) The Minister may appoint persons to be consultative members of the Board or temporary members of the Board.
(3) There shall be a Secretary to the Board, who will exercise such functions and perform such duties as the Board may direct.
(a) Meetings of the Board shall be summoned by the Minister or by the Chairman or in the absence of the Chairman by the Deputy Chairman.
(b) The Controller-General of Munitions Supply shall be Chairman of the Board and shall preside at meetings of the Board.
(c) In the absence of the Chairman a Deputy Chairman approved by the Minister shall preside.
(d) Two members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
(e) A temporary member of the Board may exercise all the functions of a member of the Board provided that a temporary member shall not be Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Board.
(f) Questions shall be decided by a majority of votes; provided that should there be equality of voting upon any question when less than three members are present the matter shall be postponed until the next meeting.
(2) Every such delegation shall be revocable at will, and no delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power by the Board.
Contract Board.
There shall be a Contract Board, which shall exercise its powers and functions subject to the control of the Munitions Supply Board.
The Contract Board shall be constituted as follows:—
(1) The Chairman and members of the Munitions Supply Board shall be ex officio members of the Contract Board.
(2) Members approved by the Minister as follows:—
(a) A person nominated by the Munitions Supply Board, who shall be Chairman of the Contract Board;
(b) a person nominated by the Naval Board;
(c) a person nominated by the Military Board;
(d) a person nominated by the Air Board;
(e) a person nominated by the Secretary, Department of Defence, who shall be Executive Member and Secretary of the Contract Board.
(3) In the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman shall be the senior member of the Contract Board present, provided that the Secretary shall not be eligible to act as Deputy Chairman.
11. Meetings of the Contract Board shall be convened by the Chairman, or, in his absence, by the Secretary of the Contract Board. Three members shall constitute a quorum. Questions shall be decided by a majority of votes, and in the event of an equality of voting the presiding member shall have a casting vote, provided there shall be no casting vote when less than four members are present.
12. The functions of the Contract Board shall be—
(a) On receipt of a contract demand duly approved by proper authority, the responsibility for obtaining which shall devolve upon the person submitting the demand, to arrange by inviting public tenders, or by quotation or otherwise, for the performance of services or the purchase of supplies.
(b) Subject to the approval of the Munitions Supply Board to direct District Contract Boards as to the manner and extent in and to which supplies may be obtained and services arranged within the limits of their respective States.
Provided, however, that no tender or quotation shall be accepted nor purchase made by the Contract Board, the amount of which exceeds £2,500, without reference to the Minister through the Munitions Supply Board.
13. The Contract Board shall be charged with the sale or disposal by public auction, or by public tender or quotation, or by treaty, or by other approved means, at such prices as it may decide are fair and reasonable and in the public interest, of all surplus or unserviceable buildings, machinery, plant, vessels, animals, vehicles, stores, equipment, clothing and material, which may be placed with the Board for disposal.
14. The Chairman of the Contract Board, or, in his absence, the Deputy Chairman, shall, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, enter into contracts approved by the Minister or the Contract Board.
15. Questions connected with the acceptance of tenders or purchase of stores which affect the policy of the Government for the time being are to be referred to the Minister through the Munitions Supply Board.
16. (1) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Munitions Supply Board, appoint in each State a District Contract Board, consisting of not less than three members, one of whom shall be Chairman and another Deputy Chairman.
(2) The District Contract Board for any State or the Chairman thereof, or, in his absence, the Deputy Chairman thereof, may, on being authorized in writing so to do by the Contract Board, exercise in such State any of the powers and functions of the Contract Board or the Chairman thereof.
(3) Every authority under this regulation shall be revocable at will, and shall not prevent the exercise by the Contract Board, or the Chairman or Deputy Chairman thereof, of any power or function under this regulation.
Government Munitions Establishments.
Acetate of Lime Factory, Bulimba, Queensland, and Molasses Storage Depôt, Cairns, Queensland.
Clothing Factory, South Melbourne, Victoria.
Inspection Branch, Footscray and Maribyrnong, Victoria.
Inspection Branch, Lithgow, New South Wales.
Research Laboratories, Maribyrnong, Victoria.
Small Arms Ammunition Factory, Footscray, Victoria.
Small Arms Factory, Lithgow, New South Wales.
Munitions Factories, Maribyrnong and Footscray, Victoria, comprising Explosives, Gun Ammunition and Ordnance Factories.
Recovery and Proof Ranges, Wakefield, South Australia.
18. (1) The Munitions Supply Board shall have, hold, exercise, and perform, subject to the control of the Minister, such powers and functions respecting the administration of Government munitions establishments as may be vested in or conferred upon it by these regulations.
(2) The Controller-General of Munitions Supply shall be specially responsible for the technical direction of the armament factories, research, and inspection.
(3) In addition to any other powers and functions vested in or conferred upon it as aforesaid, the Board shall be charged with—
(a) The efficient and economical conduct of all munitions establishments;
(b) The co-ordination of the work of the several munitions establishments;
(c) Any matter affecting the administration of munitions establishments not governed by regulation or by any instruction issued by the Minister.
(4) The Board shall have authority to incur expenditure upon—
(a) Purchase of raw materials, fuel, and maintenance stores of all kinds within the limit of available funds;
(b) Replacement of and repairs to existing munitions establishments, works, buildings, plant, machinery, furniture, and fittings within the limit of available funds;
(c) New works, and buildings, machinery, plant, furniture and fittings not exceeding £2,000 in any one establishment at any one time.
(5) The Board may approve of—
(a) the sale or writing off of condemned, unfit, damaged, or deficient stores, the value of which does not exceed £100.
(b) the sale or writing off of obsolete or worn-out plant, the value of which does not exceed £100 in any one case.
(c) the taking on charge of excess stores.
(6) Questions connected with the administration of Government munitions establishments which affect the policy of the Government for the time being shall be referred to the Minister.
Duties of Managers.
19. The Munitions Supply Board, or, if approved by the Board, a member thereof, may exercise the powers and duties of a Manager in relation to any munitions establishment or in relation to any person employed in a munitions establishment.
20. Each manager shall be responsible for the efficient, safe, and economical working of the establishment under his charge.
21. Each manager is authorized—
(a) To incur such monthly expenditure as may be approved by the Board for supplies and services for the conduct and maintenance of the establishment;
(b) To approve of expenditure, not exceeding £100 in any one case, for additions or repairs to the premises or plant of the establishment;
(c) To engage, discharge, or retire employees;
(d) Subject to any statutory law, and within the limits approved by the Board, to fix weekly, daily, hourly, or piece-work rates of wages of employees; and
(e) Subject to these Regulations and to the approval of the Munitions Supply Board to make rules for the conduct of the establishment under his charge.
22. Before the Manager authorizes any expenditure of money, he shall first satisfy himself that funds are available.
23. Any proposal for expenditure of an amount for additions or repairs to premises or plant exceeding £100 shall be submitted to the Board for approval, accompanied by a certificate that funds are available.
24. The Manager shall, in July of each year, submit a report on the working of the establishment, together with a statement of accounts and balance-sheet.
Duties of Accountant.
25. The Accountant shall be responsible under the Manager—
(a) For the accounts of the establishment and for the receipts and disbursement of public moneys in accordance with the Treasury Regulations;
(b) For the direction and supervision of the clerical staff, and that the members of such staff duly fulfil the duties assigned to them, and that discipline is maintained in the office;
(c) That no arrears occur in the work of the office, and that the accounts are posted up daily, so that they may at all times be ready for examination.
Part III.—Administrative.
Division I.—Attendance, Duties, &c.
Acquaintance with Regulations.
26. Officers, foremen, and employees are required to acquaint themselves with these Regulations.
Hours of Duty.
27. (a) Forty-eight hours shall constitute a week’s work, and shall be worked on six days of the week, Monday to Saturday inclusive. Eight and three-quarter hours on Monday to Friday inclusive, and four and a quarter hours on Saturday shall constitute a week’s work; such hours to be worked between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and 7 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Saturdays;
Provided that the Minister may vary the hours of duty in establishments where females are employed; and for female employees.
Provided that, if necessary, there may be shift work, and in such cases the hours for any one shift shall not exceed eight and three-quarter hours:
Provided that 56 hours shall constitute a week’s work for watchmen, and shall be worked on seven days a week, and that the shift for watchmen shall be fixed by the manager.
Watchmen shall be entitled upon application to receive one Sunday off each month without pay:
Provided further that where any employees are paid at trade rates and the award hours for their trade are less than 48 hours per week, such employees shall work forty-eight hours per week, and shall be paid for 48 hours at the ordinary trade rate based on the award hours.
(b) At the discretion of the manager, employees in the explosives section shall be allowed time at the beginning of a day’s work and the end of a day’s work in which to change clothes, and get to and from work, and before and after meals.
Attendance.
28. Employees shall record their time of entering or leaving the establishment in such manner as may be determined by the Manager. Any person failing to record his time on entering or leaving, and any person discovered recording the time of any other person, shall be dee
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.