MINIATURE MEDALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1927, Page 4

MINIATURE MEDALS.

THE RIGHT TO WEAR THEM. WELLINGTON, June 14. Unrestricted sale of miniature war medals recently formed the subject ot a, protest to the Alinister of Defence bv the- Napier Returned Soldiers’ Association. This body considered that miniatures were being worn b.\ unauthorised persons and that sale should he made only through the proper authorities. Tho Alinister (the Hon F. J. Rolleston) now lias issued a statement that tho wearing of military decorations ot ribbons, or ones so nearly lcscnibling them as to bo calculated to deceive, is tin offence under section 7 of the Police Offences Act and is punishable by imprisonment or fine. Aliniatures are not mentioned in the section, because they tire not decorations or medals issued by the military or naval authorities. "It is known that- the sale of miniature decorations or medals is not restricted in other parts ol the Empire, and that they may be obtained from private firms,” states the Alin, ister. ‘‘There is also nothing to : prevent any persons in New Zealand from purchasing these tniniatmes ill other parts of the Empire. The A\ ar Olfico in England does not stock miniatures. and the Defence Department here obtains them merely to suit the convenience of war veterans and to enable them to purchase at a cost much lower than the prices demanded by retail firms. The Defence Department takes every reasonable precaution to restrict the sale ot miniature medals j and modal ribbons to authorised persons and in some cases purchasers have been obliged to produce proof of hav- ' ing been awarded certain medals. Tt ! has not been the experience of the j Department that many people are so unscrupulous as to wear medals to which thov are not entitled, and it .s considered that legislation at present i existing is sufficient to prevent any

such abuse. ”li must not be overlooked that tho Defence Department has no record of medals awarded to soldiers who served with other than the. New Zealand Forces, and that in many holla fidt eases purchasers ol miniature medals or ribbons have no ready proof of their being in possession ot the regulation issue of medals concerned. In some eases it would entail considerable

annoyance and inconvenience to them if tliev were asked to obtain official

proof of their right to wear miniature or ribbons.”

The .Minister, however, requests returned soldiers' associations to bring to the notice of the local Defence authorities any cases where they beliete an offence lias been committed, so that inquiry may lie made and proceedingtoken if considered advisable.