SOLDIERS’ WILLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 5

SOLDIERS’ WILLS

SPECIAL PROVISION REGULATIONS GAZETTED NATIVES AND EUROPEANS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. By the soldiers’ wills emergency regulations, 1939, gazetted recently, special provision is made for the making of wills by members of the naval, military, and air forces, and also by seamen

The Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, pointed out last evening that the regulations applied to wills made at any time after the commencement of the present war. While the state of war existed all members of the naval and military forces who were under 21 years of age were authorised to make wills in the ordinary way as if they were of full age.

He said that the provision applied to natives as well as Europeans, bu natives were not entitled to make informal wills, as Europeans were, while they were soldiers on actual military service or are seamen at sea.

“With respect to Europeans, the existing law as to informal wills is extended so as to enable airmen le make them as well as soldiers.” said Mr. Mason. “In order to remove any doubt it it declared that New Zealand soldiers, including airmen, shall be deemed to be on actual military service for the purpose of making informal wills at all times while they are outside New Zealand during the state of war. Members of the naval and marine forces are authorised tc make informal wills not only when at sea but when they are placed in such circumstances that if they were soldiers they would be in actual military service.

"The regulations also provide that informal wills may appoint guardians of infant children as well as dispose of property, and that informal wills of mariners and seamen may dispose of real estate as well as personal estate. This is already the case with regard to soldiers, including airmen.”