AT CORONATION

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1937, Page 5

AT CORONATION

N.Z. CONTINGENT COMPLAINTS OF UNIFORMS. (Per Press Association—Copyright).: INVERCARGILL, July 7 The uniforms of the membeis of the New Zealand Coronation contingent were not of the best, but criticism has been soipewhat exaggerated, said Major D. F.rLeckie, who returned to Invercargill, last night. .“They were really service uniforms, and suffered in comparison with those, of other troops so far as appearance was. concerned, but the Government must bo given credit for sparing no expense and for doing its. best in the circumstances. They were tailored as far as could possibly be done in the time available, but it must be remembered that some of the men were in their forties, apd there were np territorial uniforms to fit them. '

hade one distinctive feature. That was the peaked hat with the red puggaree, and it covered a multitude of sins. Most people will agree, how°ver j that a Coronation contingent is a “show” one..and should have “show” uniforms, but it> takes time to make these ,and it 'could not be done here, though it might have been done in ‘ London.” < THE COMMANDER’S REPLY. WHANGAREI, July 8. “To describe the uniforms of tho New Zealand Coronation Contingent as ill-fitting and shabby, is absurd,” said Major Carauth, of; Whangarei, who commanded the contingent on the return trip. The British'line regiment wore blue for the first time, and the .general public and ; iisen preferred khaki, which .all Dominion troops wore. The uniforms- were fitted bv tailors, and alterations, made to secure a good fit. He heard no suggestion in England that the contingent did not look smart. English, people remem- - bered New Zealanders in war years when they always wore khaki, and it was an insult to the N.Z.E.F. to say the uniforms . were shabby. The men were a fine body and a credit to the Dominion. They realised what they had to live up .to, and appreciated all that was done for them.