THE BRITISH ARMY

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 March 1924, Page 5

THE BRITISH ARMY

MORE ATTRACTIVE UNIFORMS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 7. Apart from a decrease of seven millions in expenditure, the most striking feature of Labour’s Army Estimates is an attempt to attract recruits. This {will be done by reintroducing a smarter full dress uniform. It is also intended to provide those regiments not now possessing full dress with smart khaki jackets, and pipe-clayed belts, and also to restore to the Scottish regiments their historic dol-t cured stockings, white gaiters, tartan trousers, and Glengarry caps. As the’ army is now 5500 below the

establishment, the Army Council is endeavouring to increase the number of officers. The Army Council has reduced the Sandhurst training course by eighteen months. The Council ha)s introduced 'promi tion by merit. It is also attempting to remove the impression that a military career is uncertain. The estimates provide for sufficient new light tanks to complete one new battalion and to begin equipment of a second battalion, and also a second motor artillery brigaoe. Speaking on the army estimates, Mr Walsh, Secretary for War, said : “I am mainly able to satisfy myself that the estimates are in accordance , with the policy of the late Government, with due regard to efficiency, and economy. Progress has been made in the manufacture of new . light tanks, while experiments in the mechanical transport of field ar- ’ tillery are so promising that a second brigade of' field artillery is being equipped in this way. Some ) important work has been done in re- ; volving explosives from materials ob- - tamable entirely -'within the British Isles.