VARIATIONS IN ARMY UNIFORMS EXPLAINED

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32234, 28 February 1970, Page 7

VARIATIONS IN ARMY UNIFORMS EXPLAINED

Style and colour differences in New Zealand Army uniforms will disappear as older uniforms are worn out, the director of public relations (Lieutenant - Colonel R. 1. -Launder) says in reply to Observer, a correspondent of “The Press,” who w rote:—

"Your leading article on defence spending is a glowing report on weapons, but I would like to point out another aspect of our modern Army—clothing. The drill green summer issue is made in two shades, neither of which matches. The winter issue battledress is all reconditioned and a match between trouser and jacket is impossible. The best uniform service dress is made in two styles and shades and most soldiers are issued with an old jacket and new trousers, or vice versa, so that neither matches.

“The only people to get matching service dress are officers, whose uniform is made from the same yarn of material, therefore ensuring a match. Surely more time and money could be spent on better uniforms to bring us in line with other allied armies.” “There is a continuous development effort to improve uniforms," Colonel .Launder says. “Style changes must be expected from time to time. As considerable

stocks are held, it is not, economical to dispose of existing types on the basis: of small improvements to style and fit. “A new light-weight green drill material has been introduced, which is different in colour from the

older and heavier material. Once items made from the older material have been phased out, the shade variations in green drill will be much less noticeable. Slight differences will still exist because frequent laundering i causes some fading. Under current tendering systems, it ; is not possible to avoid slight I differences in dye colours ■ from different manufacturers.” Jj Battledress is being phased i out of the Army, Colonel . Launder says. The jacket has t been replaced by a jersey? i and only trousers are being 1 purchased Colour variations i because of fading and f differing sources cannot be r avoided. “Unlike the soldier's i service-dress, the officer’s -uniform is not provided . free.” Colonel Launder says ) “The officer purchases the (‘material and has it made up. I‘Consequently, he is able to r obtain his full requirement r from the same bolt of cloth, and shade differences do not ■) occur.”