FOR LOYAL SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 2

FOR LOYAL SERVICE

INVALIDED PERSON BADGE EX-MEMBERS OF FORCES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday The King has approved the institution of a badge for issue to personnel invalided. from the naval, military and air forces and merchant navy through wounds or war disablement attributable to service in the present war, said the Acting-Minister of Defence, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, to-day. The badge, which will be known as the "Invalided Person Badge," consists of the Royal and Imperial Cipher, surmounted by a crown and surrounded by a circular band bearing the inscription, "For loyal service." It is one inch in diameter, made of white metal, and fitted with buttonhole attachment for men and a brooch attachment for women. The issue of the badge to members of the Merchant Navy, said the Minister, will be limited to cases in which there is disablement of so serious and prolonged a character that a man can no longer follow the sea, or which is sufficiently serious and prolonged to entitle the man to the continuing award of a pension, although not so serious as to prevent him returning to sea. All exservicemen, ex-servicewomen and exmembers of the Merchant Navy who consider they are entitled to the badge must make application to the Director of Pay Accounts and Base Records, Wellington.

BABY WOOL SHORTAGE

EXPEDITING SHIPMENT COT BLANKET SUPPLIES (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Thursday The shortage of baby wool and cot blankets was referred to by Mrs. A. N. Grigg (Opposition—Mid-Canterbury) in a question to the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in the House of Representatives to-day. Mrs. Grigg asked that steps be taken to rectify the position. In a note to her question Mrs. Grigg said that a recent survey by the Plunket Society disclosed that materials for baby clothes were almost unobtainable throughout New Zealand. Before the House adjourned the Minister was given leave to reply to the question. Ho said that New Zealand had to rely on importations for the bulk of its baby wool and that it had been possible to secure a reasmiable quota from Britain. However, owing to shipping difficulties supplies had not come forward as expected. A cablegram was being despatched to the High Commissioner in London asking him to do everything possible to have the full quota shipped with the minimum delay. Mr. Sullivan said his recent announcement concerning increased production of civilian blankets this year related to cot blankets as well. Actually cot blankets were now coming on to the market and should be available in increasing quantities shortly.

MEN DISMISSED

ROTORUA FIRM FINED £3O (0,c.) ROTORUA, Thursday A Rotorua firm was charged in the Magistrate's Court at Rotorua, before Mr. W. 11. Freeman, S.M., on three charges of terminating the employment of men engaged on an essential undertaking without obtaining permission. The prosecuting counsel said some employers did not seem to realise that under the regulations they were equally bound. It was not right that an employee should be bound by the regulations and the employer allowed to disregard them. Counsel for the company pointed out that the headquarters of the firm concerned were in the South Island. Naturally they had to rely on the foreman and pay the penalties for any mistakes made by him. A plea of guilty was entered. "It seems that the foreman adopted a very arrogant attitude." commented Mr. Freeman, in imposing a fine of £lO on each of the three charges. HOLIDAY CAMP TECHNICAL COLLEGE PLAN "I think it would be a wise venture for the board to possess a school holiday camp and after the war there will be many suitable buildings available," said Mr. G. J. Park, principal of the Seddon Memorial Technical College, at a meeting of the board of managers yesterday. He added that tho idea could be referred to the Parent-Teacher Association, which could, if interested, assist in tho raising of funds. The question for the board to decide was whether the money likely to be spent on such a scheme would be better spent in the college. Mr. Park said he had in mind an area of about 10 acres and he had been impressed by the suitability of certain land near Rotorua. He thought it probable that the Government would assist in providing a building. The board asked Mr. Park to prepare a scheme for admission to the ParentTea chei Association.

CARTAGE BAN LIFTED The ban on the cartage of vegetables from Pukekohe to Auckland by road services has been lifted, according to an announcement made yesterday by tho No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, Mr. E. J. jphelan. He said that the position in regard to cartage of vegetables from Pukekohe to Auckland had been considered and the restrictions, which had been in force for the past 18 months, had been removed, thus making it optional for growers to send vegetables to Auckland by road or rail*