WEARING OF BADGES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32419, 17 April 1944, Page 3

WEARING OF BADGES

RETURNED SERVICEMEN STATEMENT BY EXECUTIVE The several prosecutions which have lately been made by the police for the illegal wearing of the Returned Services’ Association badge have brought forward the question of the right to wear the badge by unauthorised persons. The badge issued to all financial members of the association, is protected by statute under the Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Act, 1918, clause .4 of which reads : — “(1) The Governor-General may, by Order-in-Council gazetted, 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 badge for the current financial year, starting April 1, 1944, bears a black attachment bearing the numerals 44/45.