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Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 109, 10 May 1941, Page 15

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MEN IN UNIFORM

AVOIDING DISTINCTIONS. (0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. "The authorities are doing their utmost to break down any distinctions between territorials and men for overseas," said Captain C. A. Rattray, at the meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union when the suggestion was made that onlv Expeditionary Force men should be admitted free to Rugby matches. He said Burnham was the only camp in New Zealand where both territorials and Expeditionary Force men were in training, and the arrangements had worked very satisfactorilv. '-Now that both are 'ballotees' it would be unfortunate to make invidious distinctions," he said. The question was raised bv Mr. W. C. Dalley, who said that soon the Home Guard would be in uniform, and that eventuallv verv few per sons would be eligible to pay the admission charges. "You don't mean arm bands 7 " asked Mr. A. E. McPhail amid laughter. Mr. E. V. Phillips, the president, said the union had deeded to admit all men of the services in uniform and no distinctions could be made. Another member remarked that many members of the Air Force ground staff, who would not be going overseas, were earning better i wapes than they would in civil life Mr. J. N. Clarke: They are doins their bit. nevertheless. Members of the National Reserve and the Home Gaurd were forbidden to use-their uniforms to get into sports meetings and entertainments free, said Mr. R. W. Rlazev.

"I don't- think manv men will abuse the use of the uniform," said another member.