DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1918, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

SOLDIER'S CLAIM AGAINST LODGE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. In the Magistrate's Court, John Simmonds, a grocer and a returned soldier, claimed from Alfred Shelton, secretary of the Ivanhoe Lodge of Druids, an amount representing sick pay at the rate of £1 per week from February 27' until the date of his discharge from military service. The question at issue was whether a soldier could claim from a friendly society sick benefits while still in the military service. Counsel for plaintiff contended that payment of sick pay did not depend upon whether the member was in receipt of a wage or salary earned. In order to succeed the defence must show that the plaintiff was able to fulfil the active duties of a soldier. For the defence It was stated that the attitude the Ivanhoe Lodge had taken up was that of other lodges and orders, and they wished the point settled. In a similar case of another BOldier the committee had resolved that no such payment should be made until after the discharge of a member from military service. Counsel contended that the term "occupation," used on a member's declaration and in the doctor's certificate, meant "means by which a livelihood is earned." ,The Magistrate (Mr. Bartholomew) reserved his decision.