UNAUTHORISED BADGES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2804, 23 June 1916, Page 3

UNAUTHORISED BADGES

■ ' — * '■ i . . 'AN . IMPROPER PRACTICE. Attention was drawn ,by Mr. G. Witty in! the House of Representatives yesterday to a 'danger which may arise out of a practice common among disl- - soldiers of wearing badges other than the red armlet issued to them. Air. Witty asked tho Prime Minister (in-the absence- of .'the'.-Defence Minister) -whether he was aware that soldiers who had only temporary discharges were able to buy, in a shop in Wellington discharged soldiers' badges. ■He had seen a man that morning who had been given a temporary discharge ns an undesirable, and he was wearing a badge. It was not a fair thing that any man wiiojhad not been honourably discharged should" be able "to'"buy a badge in Willis Street or : anywhere else, and pretend that he -was a discharged 6oldier.' ';' Mr.Massey: If the statement made by the honourable member is correct—and I don't doubt his- version of it for a moment—then something very improper is taking place. '. The official badges aro given to discharged soldiers, ami the other badges are of no value whatever. I believe—but I am .not sure on this point—that any person . wearing these other'badges, or selling, or manufacturing, them, is liable to prosecution. I shall be very.glad to make inquiries. Mr. Witty said that the Defence authorities had taken notice of this man's case....'

Mr. Hornsby: The badges are worn all. over the place.

; The only official badge is the red armlet,' ..which is issued by the "Defence authorities. This badge is not for Mle anywhere, :and penalties are provided to which any man wearing .it unlawfully, or manufacturing it unlawfully, or selling it. under any circumstances, may be, liable. But "for some reason some ■soldiers do not like the armlet, and thoy buy and wear a neater badge—a brass crown on a ground of red cloth, which can be sewn on the sleeve. - This badge., is not recognised by the authorities, and there ,is nothing to prevent anybody from wearing it. It is for sale iii several establishments in the. City? but the have a. rule that they will not sell, them except to soldiers who can produce .discharge.?.' The' authorities have not yet considered it necessary to prohibit: the wearing of these badges, but they will, no doubt, take notice of men who use the unauthorised bad™ for the purpose of masquerading as vetivnrl soldiers..