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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 7 April 1915, Page 5

Tho tender of a Wellington manufacturer has been accepted by, the Defence Department for the supply of sixty badges for the nurses who are going to the front. The badge is in the form of a small metal disc, with the Red' Cross of St. John of .Jerusalem in .tho centre of the circlet of blue enamel,- .with the letters N.Z.N.C. (New Zealand Nursing Corps) below. Lord Rosebery suggests that a man who has volunteered for active service and been rejected on physical grounds should be given a certificate indicating that his patriotism is greater than -his physique (writes a London correspondent). Tlie idea has' many supporters, but it is also open to some objection. The matter was •considered by the War OfEce, and it was decided that the issue of badges or certificates was not desirable. If the notification of rejection took the form of a badge it could easily be imitated, and the shirker would certainly not hesitate to resort to forgery. Unexpected reversals of fortune or other accidents of life might bring many badges to pawnshops or old -curiosity shops. Cases heard in court have revealed" that the Victoria Cross Can bo purchased in almost any antique dealer s office for less than a sovereign. 'On the other hand, a formal certificate by a doctor cannot be worn in tho buttonhole or flourished in .a tramcar, and people in whom 'the army doctor has discovered some physical weakness might' not care to pjfcclaim it abroad. About 25 per eent. of {.hose who volunteer "•are rejected on medical. grounds, and tliose figures should Surprise" Geimany,' who believes that '"we had difficulty in raising 5500,000 nieii, and are accepting" the service of anybody who offers. The proportion of rejected is larger than 'most people imagine', " but it" must be. remembered that certain defects- which, imply neither bad health nor poor physique are disqualifications for the army.