USED ARMY BOOTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 54, 5 March 1943, Page 4

USED ARMY BOOTS

ISSUED TO SOLDIERS (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, this day. Boots issued to New Zealand soldiers were the subject of an urgent question addressed by Mr. Clyde Carr (Government, Timaru) in the House of Representatives yesterday to the acting-Minister of Defence, Mr. Fraser. Mr. Carr asked whether in view of the fact that some wornout or "condemned" army boots were being replaced with secondhand boots, there was any shortage at present of army boots; also whether, in view of the incidence of "athlete's foot," an infectious disease, among the men, it would be possible shortly to discontinue the issue of second-hand boots.

"I am informed," said Mr. Fraser, "that the issue, of used boots to soldiers is an established practice which is necessary from the point of view of economy. Owing to acute shortage of sole leather, it is essenthat all possible wear should be obtained from army boots before they are discarded. The incidence of "athlete's foot" is more largely due to other causes than the use of boots which have been worn bj' other soldiers. In order to ensure that there will be no possibility of contamination from the use of used boots such boots are to be suitably disinfected before reissue."

Mr. Fraser added that the Supply Department was giving attention, not only to the question of adequate supplies for the troops in the Dominion and overseas, but also to the question of better fitting boots, which was very important. That was being instituted now.