OFFICERS' KITS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15561, 10 April 1916, Page 8

OFFICERS' KITS.

THE GOVERNMENT GRANT

SAID TO BE FAR TOO SMALL,

The chicf topic of discussion at the meeting of the Mayor of Wellington's Patriotic Committee on Friday (says the "Dominion"), arose out of members of the committee having been approached by officers enquiring as to whether it could not assist them financially in the purchase of their equipment.

Mr A. Marryatt, "who was one of the number so approached, said that representations had been made to him that the Government allowance (£25) was insufficient to purchase the "kit" required by an officer going on active service. One typical case was that of a young man studying a profession, who had received £20, with the promise of another £5 from the Department, and whose pay had Ueen mortgaged uj> till May in order to pay for the cost of his equipment over .and above the amount allowed by the Department. He stated that the Auckland Patriotic So- j ciety was giving each officer £10 'when required, and most of the pther Patriotic Societies were doing likewise. In support of his argument the speaker produced an inventory of the "kit" of the officer in question, which read as follows:—One uniform, £4 2s 6d; 1 uniform, £3 15s; 1 uniform (drill), £2 ss; 3 pairs boots, £4 15s; 2 caps, £1 4s; 1 hat, 10s •, 1 overcoat, £2 15s; 1 British "warmer," £2 15s; 5 pairs stars, 12s 6d; 0 shirts, £2 6s 6d; 4 underpants, £1 4s; 4 singlets, £1 10s; stick, 3s 6d; 3 ties, 7s Cd; 6 pairs socks, 15s; 1 haversack, 2s 6d; 1 pair braces, 2s Gd; 2 pairs puttees, 16s 6d; 1 "Sam Browne,'' £1 ss: 1 sword, £2 2s; khaki handkerchiefs, 6s 9d; 3 blankets, £1 10s; 1 valise, £2 ,12s; 1 tin trunk, £2; 3 pairs pyjamas, £1 17s 6d; 1 pair shoes, 4s 6d; 1 boot-cleaning outfit, 3s 6d; button stick, etc., 3s 6d: 1 camp stretcher, £1 Is; books and manuals, £1 ss. Total, £44 12s 6d. A note attached to the inventory read:—"l have been in camp wearing this outfit for five months, and know that the articles named are necessary. I have not allowed for wear,, particularly of underclothing and boots. I have actually paid for repair of boots 19s, and they are,_ of course, now less servicable." The members agreed pretty well that the list was not at all extravagant, particularly in view of the prospect of a fivo weeks' sea trip. Mr C. R. Smith thought that they should again meet the Minister of Defence and bring pressure to bear upon him to make the allowance to officers something nearer the outlay necessary. It was, he thought, highly essential that all officers should be fully equipped, and that without having to dip into their own pockets, otherwise at a critical moment it may mean that some shortage would result in the loss "of :ives under him. _ Mr Win. Ferguson, referring to the list figured out by the Minister of Defence or his officers, said this was the price at which the Department was prepared to supply the equipment, and if officers went elsewhere they would "have to pay a higher rate. Mr Marryatt said he had enquired as to that, and found that the officer had gone to the Government tenderer for his outfit. Mr Ferguson moved that the £10 which had been advanced by Mr Marryatt to the officer in question be refunded liini. The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) said that doubtless many of the officers now coming forward were less able to pay out of their own pockcts than those who went with the earlier Reinforcements ; but a duty devolved upon them to see that the men were properly equipped. _ Ho knew that the Invercargill Society was giving £10 to each of their officers, as he had paid over the money to those who went in the last Reinforcement, and that day had received a letter asking him to attend to four other men from that district who were with the next lot, so that other Patriotic Societies were realising that the Government allowance was inadequate. They must approach the Minister more, and closely urge him to realise the Government's responsibility in providing the soldier with &11 the equipment for the duties he was called upon to do. If they could not persuade the Minister to increase the allowance, .then they must takf> it upon themselves to make an effort to make un the difference.

- It was then moved and seconded that a deputation wait- upon the Minister of Defence in regard to the matter some day next week such deputation to consist of all members of the committee.