SOLDIERS' UNIFORMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 58, 1 December 1917, Page 6

SOLDIERS' UNIFORMS

--Sir,—On reading your letter in this Morning's paper, "Breeohes Barred," I Wish to take tho opportunity of writing a fow lines in defence of tho sol- , dier who takes a prido in his dress, and who tries to make himself look decent and respectable. Tho Defenco authorities claim (as an excuse) that as the married men are coming into camp they Would find it a hardship to buy riding breeches, thereby admitting that' the issue trousers are untidy looking. ' -:■ Now, sir, when I first went into camp I woro slacks and putties in the regimental style, that is, the trousers folded over tho tops of tho putties, and tho first thing my wife said when sho saw fte was, "For heaven's sake go and l buy yourself a decent pair of breeches. 3fou look like a navvy with knee straps on." I may say sho hasn't got a sheep station or banking account, and at that time there was no separation allowance.

''' I think that any woman who has'a husband in or going into camp who thinks anything of him is only too pleased to give him a few shillings for o.pair of breechos rather than seo him walking about in tho ungainly things the Government supply. The Defence officer who stated ,that a man could take his back to the quartermaster's stores and .get. it changed should be there "when the men are 'being issued with their -uniforms. My Experience is that .you can't get civility, ■ much less a change. As for the staifinent that the tailors doing business in camp will alter a uniform for very little cost is rubbish, and ,1 would ad'arise', him to make inquiries before ho ; •speaks. I can put my hand on a receipt at tho present moment for ,6s. •63. for an alteration to a collar, and I inow of another soldier just recently who-paid 4s. to ha T o three stripes and itevrons sewn on the sleeve,* though ho supplied the stripes and chevrons himielf. Another soldier was charged 10s. ■for taking in a tunic each side;. At Jhese prices. a man could buy two pairs, of-breeches. •'■';'."■•'■'

: This same officer olaim's that officers fa'-:the British Army wear the; slacks eihd puttios. Well, in my experience\[ Save never seen them do so, but if it ss'a fact, why not make the new order bpply to officers also? What is good fenoligh for an,lmperial officer must he good enough for a New Zealand officer, and I am sure it would be a good example to the men. ■■•'

:J.The Australian uniform, iu my.ppinSoii, is 50 per cent betterj both in material and cut, and looks much smarter. .Nearly every New Zealand soldier I ' Save spoken to on this subject tbinks the' same, and.you will find that the irhajofity of our boys returning from the front havo-Australian issue on. This fact speaks for itself. ;,.Anothor'point I wish to draw your fcttention to is that company sergeantMajors, staff,'sergeants, quartermaster Sergeants all receivo a field allowance of;'ls. 6d. per day. Now, sir, I take lfcTthat this field allowance is given so thai fife man who receives it should 'dress better and look smarter-than tho men below Mm. -.This now order makes that impossible. Trusting that somo abler pe? (than mine will take'this matter'up.— lam, etc., ' ;:r one who knows.