SHORTS FOR CADETS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30365, 14 February 1964, Page 12

SHORTS FOR CADETS

“Shortage In City” No .new shorts have been available for issue to Army cadets in South Island schools for two or three years, and there is a shortage of used ones, according to inquiries by “The Press” yesterday. In a statement printed on Wednesday, Defence Department officers denied that there was a shortage of uniforms or basic equipment for school cadets in New Zealand. Yesterday parents' complained to “The Press” that this statement was not correct and that a definite shortage of shorts at least existed in Christchurch.

Inquiries confirmed that the Southern Military District has not had new shorts for issue for some years, and that no new stocks are in sight. School cadets therefore have to make do with shorts which have been in use for years. Many boys retain the same uniforms for several years and, when they leave school, these are returned to the Army, renovated and dry-cleaned, and then issued again. Sufficient battledress jackets are available to supply all schools.

Boys not able to receive an Army issue of shorts, therefore wear their ordinary school shorts or their own khaki drill shorts on parade. No change in this situation is expected while the Cabinet considers recommendations on the future of the School Cadets Corps made by the Chiefs of Staff.