BADGES CRITICISED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16169, 4 March 1916, Page 9

BADGES CRITICISED.

MEN OBJECT TO QUALITY. CONDITIONS OF ISSUE. STRICT CONTROL EXERCISED. The quality of the badges adopted by the Recruiting Board has been severely cariticised in Auckland. Three of the four designs have been issued in the city. They are all narrow armlets*, of different colours, with a crown between the letters "G.R." printed upon the cloth. ■ Representations have been made to the Mayor by a number of returned" soldiers and others to whom samples of the badges have been issued that the armlets are unsuitable for the ' purpose. Mr. Gunson has telegraphed to the Base Records Office stating that there is a decided objection on the part of the men to wearing the badges, and that he is himself of opinion that they have obviously reasonable ground for refusing to wear them. Mr. Gunson suggested that a metal button, or, at any rate, an armlet of better quality, should be provided. Major Norton Francis, officer in charge of the Base Records Office, has replied that ho will refer the matter to the com- | mandant, General Robin, but as the arm'lets were adopted by the Recruiting Board after due consideration, he feared an alteration was now impossible. Major Francis added that the English armlet is very similar in design. The Defence authorities have received advice to the effect that applicants for badges in class those rejected as medically unfit— have to undergo a second medical examination before receiving badges unless the date of their rejection was on or after February 19. Any volunteer for active service who has been rejected since the date mentioned will not be required to undergo another medical test. Great care is being taken in Auckland to see that only men who are clearly entitled to them receive badges. When an application for a badge has been granted the recipient's signature is taken and the badge is numbered. If tho loss of a badge is reported the authorities will communicate with the police, and every wearer of one will be liable to be called upon to produce his card of authorisation which it is necessary for him always to have in his possession. If a man cannot produce his card he may be required to attend at the Defence Office, where his right to wear a badge can be tested by means of the signature in the books corresponding to the oadge issued. In the same way the wearer of a stolen badge can easily be detected.