SOLDIERS' UNIFORMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 59, 3 December 1917, Page 7

SOLDIERS' UNIFORMS

Sir,—ln a recent issue of your paper an article appeared concerning tho neiv order prohibiting the wearing of ah but issue uniforms, and in that article appeared a statement implying that the men in camp were reconciled to the change. This is absolutely incorrect. On all sides the greatest bitterness is being shown.

Most of the men have already bought uniforms in preparation for tho approaching leave, and naturally much object to going on leave in tho illfitting, multi-coloured slops issued. Foi instance, in my own case there are seven shades of khaki in my issue. One puttee is of a greenish hue and tli6 other distinctly yellow colour; the coa'i is about two sizes too big, and tho trousers torn in two places—and this is no exceptional case. In consequence I invested in a respectable uniform, and now, along with many another, find that my money lias been absolutely wasted.

' The issue are quite suitable, for Knocking around in camp, but for appearing for perhaps ■ tho last time before one's friends and relations absolutely, impossible—and this the men in camp realise only too well. It ia not a question of wearing the non-issue outside of New Zealand. It has all along been recognised that these have to bo discarded once a man leaves the country. Nobody is objecting to that; what everyone is objecting to is the compulsory giving up of decent, presentable uniforms white the men are in New Zealand —especially ' since in so many cases these uniforms have already been .bought and paid for. ;

Sir James Allen states that this reform is designed to help the married .men. As far as the man on the spot can ascertain, the married men—those, of course, who have actually had to wear, the issue—are the most bitter in their resentment of this so-called reform. '

'Then consider the CI men. Surely Sir James Alien does not expect them to appear' in public arrayed in the sec-ond-hand . 'Territorial trash issued to them. These uniforms certainly serv6 their purpose, and it would _he waste of money to provide new uniforms for men who may be discharged at a moment's notice. However, if this obnoxious reform is enforced well ovei one' thousand new uniformß will be required.,the money, of course, coming from the pockets of the people. Oh the other hand, as things stand, nobody is growling. ITiose who are fortunate enough to obtain well-fitting issue uniforms are auite at liberty to wear them, and those who do not are quite at libertv to pay for them out of then own pocket.—-I'am, etc., INTOLERANCE.

[We have already expressed the opinion that, the men who desire to wear tailor-made, uniforms obtained at then own cost should he permitted to do so while they are in New Zealand. We •cannot see any good reason at all why this should be objected to. 'Die Defence Minister, we hope, will take this matter' in hand personally, and insist on this small concession to the men being eiven.]