Badges were available and Dr Platts Mills suggested they should be worn by mothers to show that they had a son fighting somewhere at the front, and provide opportunities for introductions and forming bonds of interest.

"Silver badges"

“The popularity of the Soldiers’ Mothers’ tea parties grows steadily, and yesterday afternoon the floor of the large Town Hall was filled with those who have endured much anxiety and sorrow. A charming musical entertainment was given first, with a violin solo by Mrs. Arthur Myers, a recitation by Mrs. Harcourt, piano solo by Miss Russell and Mrs. Bath, and a dance by Miss Beere’s pupils. Tea was then handed round, and then Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool presented the dainty silver badges which have been specially designed for the mothers of soldiers at the instance of the Women’s National Reserve. These have two encircling fern leaves, inside which are the words “Mothers of Empire” and the letters S.S. monogrammed (soldiers and sailors), a silver crown linking the leaves at the top. There were several hundreds presented yesterday, and Her Excellency shook hands with each mother and said a few sympathetic words, which gave much pleasure. Mrs G.W. Russell, president of the Hon. Div. of the W.N.R., which arranges these parties was present, also Mrs. Corliss, secretary of the Reserve, and Mrs. Porter, organizing secretary, whom everyone was very pleased to see about again after her illness. Among those present were Mrs. Massey, Lady Ward, Mrs. Bernard Wood, Mrs. Hanan, Mrs. J.P. Luke, and Mrs. MacDonald. In connection with the distribution of the badges, the committee responsible for the arrangements consisted of Mrs J.C. Anderson, Mrs. Boden, and Mrs. Walter Nathan.”

From WOMEN IN PRINT, Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 153, 28 June 1917, Page 9

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19170628.2.84&srpos=8&e=01-01-1914-01-01-1920--10--1-byDA---2mothers+of+empire--

Christchurch function March 1918

Presentation of badges to Mothers, and rings to the wives

“The badges, both for mothers and wives, are of silver, but distinct in design, those for the mothers being circular in shape, and having engraved on them two fern leaves, a shield bearing the letters N.Z., a crown, and the words “Mothers of Empire,” while those issued to the wives are in the form of a ring bearing a crown, and on it the words “Wives of New Zealand."

From: Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16166, 21 March 1918, Page 2

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP19180321.2.8&srpos=14&e=01-01-1914-01-01-1920--10--11-byDA---2mothers+of+empire--