SOUTHLAND HOME GUARDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1941, Page 7

SOUTHLAND HOME GUARDS

COMPENSATION DISPUTE INVERCARGILL, July 15. Because the Government has failed to compensate the Guardsman who was injured while on parade, the Pine Bush unit of the Home Guard has ceased holding parades. It is stated that resentment is strong in the district, and that if compensation is not paid within a short time, ..parades throughout the area will also be stopped as a protest. The incident in which the Pine Bush man was injured occurred several months ago. He was attending a parade ahd his leg was accidentally injured. He received medical attention and was sent to hospital. During his absence from his firm, a substitute was engaged and the farmer had to pay out. £32 in wages and £l/1/- in medical expenses. The accident was reported to the National Service Department, and the Social Security Department in accord with Home Guard regulations. The Social Security Department investigated the case and announced that it was unable to grant sick benefit because this farmer’s income had continued to accrue during the period that he was incapacitated, and also because his income was too high for him to be eligible for the sick benefit. .

Area-Commander Lieutenant-Co'.-onel E. F. Selby, and Company Commander G. R. Kennedy stated that the attention of the National Service Department had been drawn to the case repeatedly without any result. There had been no reply to a letter which had been sent forward. “I propose to tender my resignation, if compensation is not paid within a few days,” said Commander Kennedy.