STATUTORY RULES.

1915. No. 192.

PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1915.

Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth—Addition of Regulations 630 to 637.

I, SIR ARTHUR STANLEY, Governor of the State of Victoria and its Dependencies, in the Commonwealth, of Australia, acting as the Deputy of the Governor-General in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the within regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1915 should come into operation on and from the eighth day of November, 1915, and make the Regulations to come into operation accordingly as Provisional Regulations.

Dated this fourteenth day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.

A. L. STANLEY,

Deputy for the Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

G. F. PEARCE.

Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth.

Amendments.

After Regulation 629 add the following new Regulations: —

Defence Contract and Supply Board.

630. There shall be a Defence Contract and Supply Board constituted as follows:—

Regular Members.

An Officer representing the Secretary, Department of Defence, to be appointed by the Minister, who shall be Chairman of the Board.

An Officer of the Quartermaster-General’s Branch at Head-Quarters to be appointed by the Minister, who shall be Deputy Chairman of the Board.

A Permanent Officer of the Department of Defence to be appointed by the Minister.

In addition to the Regular Members the Minister may appoint from time to time any officers or persons to act as consultative members on the Board.

631. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board or, in his absence, the Deputy Chairman.

632. Meetings of the Contract and Supply Board shall be convened by the Chairman or, in his absence, the Deputy Chairman, but no business shall be transacted unless two regular members be present.

C.14389.—Price 3d.

633. The functions of the Contract and Supply Board shall be:—

(a) On receipt of a Contract demand from the Quartermaster-General, duly approved by the Minister, or such Officer as may be authorized to approve on his behalf, to arrange for the purchase of the supplies enumerated therein by inviting public tenders or by quotation or otherwise).

(b) To direct District Commandants as to the manner in which Provisions, Forage, Fuel, Cartage, Camp and Barrack Services (except Engineer Services), and supplies which are to be purchased within the limits of the District concerned, are to be arranged for.

(c) To arrange contracts for supplies for Government Factories and the Royal Military College, when directed by the Secretary, Department of Defence.

Provided, however, that no tender or quotation shall be accepted nor purchase made by the Contract and Supply Board, the amount of which exceeds £2,500, unless the Minister’s approval be first obtained, save and except that in the case of contracts for Provision, Forage, Fuel, and Cartage which are to be ordered as required during a specified period, the Contract and Supply Board may, without reference to the Minister, accept any tender or quotation, the value of the supplies to be obtained under which, based on the estimated requirements, does not exceed £10,000.

634. The Chairman of the Contract and Supply Board or in his absence the Deputy Chairman shall, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, enter into contracts approved by the Board, provided, however, that the Board may authorize District Commandants to enter into contracts for supplies and services referred to in Regulation 633 (b).

635. Questions connected with the acceptance of tenders or purchase of shares which affect the policy of the Government for the time being are to be referred to the Minister by the Contract and Supply Board.

636. There shall be a Secretary to the Contract and Supply Board who shall be appointed by the Governor-General, and who shall keep minutes of the proceedings of the Board and perform such other duties as the Board any direct.

Examiner of Stores and Equipment.

637. The Examiner of Stores and Equipment shall perform his duties under the direction of the Secretary, Department of Defence, but shall be in direct communication with the Contract and Supply Board.

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.