STATE LIABILITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1917, Page 2

STATE LIABILITY.

■ FOR MEN PASSED AS FIT. Mr. J. Vigor Brown (Napier) asked the Minister for Defence in the House of Representatives—Whether he will have regulations framed that the medical examination he made the deciding factor aa to the liability of the State, so that if a man is passed as 'physically fit by the examining Medical Board the State shall take full responsibility from the moment of his entering camp; and whether the Government will provide free medical and dental attendance to the dependents of all soldiers? The Hon. Sir J. Allen (Minister for Defence) replied: If the question raised by the honorable member relates to death or disablement arising out of a soldier's employment as a member of the Expeditionary 'Forces, the 'State now takes, and will continue to take, responsibility for him or his dependents. This is provided by the War Pensions Act. If, on the other hand, a soldier dies, or becomes disabled, during his period of service tlirough causes in no way associated with the performance of his military duties, as, for example, through his own excesses or by negligence, then it is unreasonable to ask that the State should be called upon to accept liability. It is not intended that the Government should provide free medical and dental attendance to the dependents of all soldiers.