POSSIBLE INJURY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 9

POSSIBLE INJURY

HOME GUARD TRAINING QUESTION OF LIABILITY GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION WELLINGTON. Tuesday Replying to a suggestion that the Government should accept liability for ail disabilities that might be caused or aggravated by training be the H, me Guard, the Minister of National Seivice, the Hon. R. Semple, .'••aid today tiiat it was impracticable to arra-/je ihe medical examination of everyone volunteering. In any case it should not be necessary, as guardsmen would train only in their spare time, say one night a week and a few hours at the weekend. However, if. in an emergency, the Home Guard were called on to become part of the defence forces, all Guardsmen would then be entitled to the same compensation, pensions, etc., as new applied to a soldier. “No person should join the Horne Guard unless he is personally satisfied that the training is not likely to affect his health detrimentally,” said Mr Semple, "but if in spite of this precaution an accident occurred involving injury or disablement, then the public could rest assured that the Government would consider each case on its merits and make whatever provision appeared necessary and just.”