STATE LIABILITY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9722, 26 July 1917, Page 6

STATE LIABILITY

FOR MEN PASSED AS FIT. Mr J. Vigor Brown (Napier) asked tho Minister for Defence in the House of Representatives —Whether he will have regulations framed that the medical examination ho made the deciding factor as to the liability of tho State, so that if a man is passed as physically tit by the examining Medical Board the State shall take full responsibility from the moment of bis entering camp; and whether the "Government will provide free medical and dental attendance to the dependents of all soldiers ? The Hon. Sir J. Allen (Minister for Defence) replied; If the question raised by the honourable member relates to death or disablement arising out of a soldier’s employment as a member of the Expeditionary Forces, the State now takes, and will continue to take, responsibility for him or bis dependents. This is provided by the War Pensfione Acts. If, on the other hand, a soldier, dies, or becomes disabled, during his period of service through causes in no way associated with the performance of his military duties, ns, for example, through his own excesses or by negligence, then it is unreasonable to ask that tho State should lie called upon to accept liability. It is not intended that the Government should provide free medical and dental attendance to the dependents of all soldiers.