N.Z.R.S.A. BADGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 82, 6 April 1944, Page 4

N.Z.R.S.A. BADGES

RIGHT TO WEAR Recent prosecutions for the illegal wearing of the R.S.A. badge have brought forward the question of the right to wear the badge, and the point is explained in a statement issued by the N.Z.R.S.A. The R.S.A. badge is protected by statute under the Militaty Decorations and Distinctive Badges Act, 1918, Clause 4 of which reads: "(1) The Governor-General may . . . define a badge or badges and assign the same to be worn as a distinctive mark or marks only by members of a society incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act, 1908, of which the membership (other than honorary membership) is limited to persons or classes of persons who have served in His Majesty's Forces during a period when His' Majesty is or was at war, or who have rendered public service, whether civil or military, during such a period. (2) It shall not be lawful for any person other than a member of the incorporated society to which a badge is assigned under the foregoing provisions of this section to wear such a badge or any colourable imitation thereof, or to pretend in any manner to be entitled to wear such badge." The R.S.A. badge is issued to all financial members of the association but the badge remains the property of the association and its return may be demanded at any time should the person to whom it was issued cease to be a member.