LACK OF INSURANCE COVER

Southland Times, Issue 24547, 23 September 1941, Page 4

LACK OF INSURANCE COVER

GUARDSMEN TRAVELLING TO PARADES (Special) DUNEDIN, September 22. “It is a mean and contemptible action,” said Cr H. S. Sheat, when a lettei- from the New Zealand Counties Association stating that the Government could not accept responsibility for injuries to Home Guardsmen proceeding to, or returning from, parades had been read to members of the Waihemo County Council. Councillors stated that members of the Home Guard in the country had to travel long distances to attend parades and consequently there was greater risk of accident than there was in the case of town members. The Government was trading on the men’s patriotism, it was stated; for it knew that car drivers were too loyal to their country to stay at home and so avoid the risk of incurring injury on the road or liability for injury to their passengers. After further discussion it was decided to send the following resolution to Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., the Minister of Health and the Director of National Service: “In view of the recent finding of the National Service Department that Home Guardsmen travelling to and from parades are not covered by insurance, and in view of’ the fact that there is a request from the petrol licensing authorities that cars should be filled to capacity, this means that private car owner-drivers are now responsible should an accident occur. Because this places too great a burden on such owner-drivers, many are refusing to accept such risk. We wish to draw attention to the position and to protest against its unfairness.”