SERVICE AT SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 132, 21 February 1918, Page 4

SERVICE AT SAMOA

AN AGREEMENT , REGARDING HEALTH. "Is it a fact," asks, a correspondent, "that the men (Class C 2) who have gone on garrison duty to Samoa, before leaving New Zealand had to sign an agreement exonerating the Government from liability to injuries to health from climatic or other reason?" The position, as explained by the Director oP Recruiting, is that certain reservists, classed as C 2, volunteered for garrison duty in Samoa. The medical examination had disclosed that these men had certain physical disabilities. They were required, .before being accepted for service, to sigh an agreement intended to freo the Government from liability for the aggravation of existing disabilities, as disclosed by the medical history sheets, b.y the tropical climate of Samoa. Each man declared: "I thoroughly understand that I am taking the risk of the potential effects of the tropical climate of Samoa upon any existing disabilities as disclosed in my history sheet." •Men who did not care to sign this agreement were noi accepted for service They were not compelled to serve.