ISSUE EXPECTED WITHIN TWO YEARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26636, 5 December 1947, Page 5

ISSUE EXPECTED WITHIN TWO YEARS

DELAY IN STRIKING MEDALS

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent LONDON, Dec. 3. If the New Zealand Government decides to follow the same system aa the United Kingdom and make one general issue of campaign stars and other service awards for the recent war, New Zealand servicemen and women entitled to these awards are unlikely to' receive them before the end of 1948 at the earliest. The striking of campaign stars, of which 8,000,000 will be issued throughout the Commonwealth, will be completed by the Royal Mint this month, but there still remains the task of striking 12,000,000 defence medals and general war medals. This is not expected to be completed for another two years, but it is possible that New Zealand may receive its allocation in time to permit a general issue of awards by the end of 1948. The design of the defence medal, which is* issued to all personnel serving specified periods in an operational area, even if in a non-operational role, has already been approved, and the striking of the medal is expected to commence early next month. New Zealand should receive its allocation well before the end of the year. The design for the war medal, however, has still to be approved, though this is expected to be decided within the next few weeks. Both the defence medal and the war medal will be made of cupro-nickel, the same alloy as that used for the 1947 issue of British coinage. Campaign stars, as already announced, will be of bronze. It is understood that the Dominion’s full allocation of the campaign stars was delivered in New Zealand some time ago. All campaign stars and service awards issued to New Zealand personnel are paid for by the New Zealand Government, which places the orders with the Royal Mint in the same way as it does for coinage. Gallantry awards and decorations, however, which are made by the King, are paid for by the British Government.

It is understood that the supply of decorations for all arms of the New Zealand services has been completed, though, according to a statement made in the House of Commons this week, the total supply for the whole Commonwealth is still some 24,000 short of requirements. t The main delay has been'in the delivery of the D.F.C., due to the fact that the crosses and boxes were not designed for easy production. According to the Under-Secretary for Air, who made a statement on the matter this week, 7000 D.F.C.’s out of a total of 20,000 awarded have still to be delivered.