"SHORTS" OR TROUSERS?

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 88, 11 October 1920, Page 8

"SHORTS" OR TROUSERS?

A' SENIOR. CADET PROBLEM.

A 1 complaint against the wearing of "shorts" by senior cadets is voiced by "Another Parent"- in a. letter to Tho Poet. He points out that the cadets are at their most trying age (from 14 to 18 yeai's) and are used to wearing trousers and warm clothing, and yet arc expected to parade in "shorts" and thin tunics in bitter south-easterly -weather, standing for hours motionless, perhaps in the wet. He points out that many cadets have had their health, seriously jeopardised thereby, and says that if ii; is a question of economy parents, he is.-sure, will be ready to pay for.an overcoat and a pair of trousers for their boys. "I 'happen," he states, "to have only one son (a very good ]ad, from 16.t0 20 years'of age), who wouid grow into a Strong man, if allowed to get through his studies in ordinary Warm, clothing. ■ But all this past winter.'the lad has' been slowly wasting, "away .from constant colds, and he tells me lie is punished if he doesn't- appear in these wretched 'shorts' and thin tunic, no matter what the weather may be. ... A friend of my lad's has had influenza colds three times this winter from wearing theso cadet 'shorts."''

It has already been pointed out in The Post feat cadets are entitled to wear their civilian overcoats to parade, and that those without such, are not obliged to attend on wet nights. In the case of lads failing to attend parades on,, .account of wet 'weather, they require to send in a satisfactory, excuse, -signed by one of their parents, to the Group Commander on the next day. Regarding the wearing of. "shorts" by senior cadets it is understood that the Defence Department has under consideration the question of providing some warmer nether garment.