IMMENSE WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 305, 27 December 1939, Page 10

IMMENSE WORK.

ARMY CLOTHING.

. LONDON GIRLS BUST.

One of the biggeet tasks on the British. home front is to clothe the British Army before winter sets in. There are now three Army clothing factories in London's East End, whre 3500 women and girle are working at top pressure to produce Army great coats, battle dress and other equipment. They are turning out 8000 battle suits and 3000 great coate per week, yet 75 per cent of the employees had never made a uniform before. In three months they have been taught to work with such speed that finished garments are packed and sent to Army depots within 36 hours of the material being cut out. The girls eing at their work. Favourites from the last war, such ae 'Tack Up Your Troubles" and "Tipperary" vie in popularity with their modern counterpart*, "Well Hang Out Our Washing on the Siegfried Line," and "Run, Adolf, Run."

Queen Elizabeth recently vieited these factories and walked two and a half miles in order to see all the processes. At one table she congratulated a girl who was about to marry an aircraft worker. In accordance with the custom of the factory, the girl was wearing a wreath of orange blossom, while her fellow workers at the table wore white wreathe.

In fitting out Britain's Army, the Ministry of Supply had undertaken the biggest tailoring and outfitting job thie country has ever known. Whereas up to 1939, half a dozen contractors were meeting all the Army's needs, their number has now been increased to 500. What, in peace time, would be a 25 years supply of great coats were ordered for delivery in six months, whereas what ie normally an 18 months' supply of Army boots is now produced in a week.