NOT PRACTICABLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20379, 16 October 1940, Page 9

NOT PRACTICABLE

MEDICAL EXAMINATION HOME GUARD RECRUITS VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS CONSIDERATION ON MERITS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Replying to a suggestion that the Government should accept liability for all disabilities that might be caused or aggravated by training the Home Guard, the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, said to-day it was impracticable to arrange for the medical examination of everyone volunteering. In any case, it should not be necessary as guardsmen would only train in their spare time, say one week night and a few hours at the week-end. However, if in emergency the Home Guard was called on to become part of the defence forces, all guardsmen would then be entitled to the same compensation and pensions as now applied to soldiers. “No person should join the Home Guard unless he is personally satisfied that training is not likely to affect his health detrimentally,” said Mr. Semple, “but if in spite of this precaution an accident occurred involving injury or disablement then the public could rest assured that the Government would consider each case on its merits and make whatever provision appeared necessary and just.