CIVILIANS IN UNIFORM.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 948, 12 September 1918, Page 6

CIVILIANS IN UNIFORM.

Waste of Good Money.

ITT would be interesting to know why the Defence Department is so long in carrying out what the public has been unanimous in considering one of the. best and most sensible recommendations made by the Defence Commission, which, at great expense, conducted so lengthy and searching an enquiry into the defence expenditure. We allude to the recommendation that the system of dressing civilians up in military uniform, giving them special miliwhat is practically ordinary clerical work—and, what is equally absurd, investing them with military rank and military titles, should be at once reformed out of existence. As our readers are aware, it was Mr. B. O. Warnes, of the Defence Department, who first drew attention tC i.- i - , waste of public money which is thei result of this system of militarising" mere civilians. The Commissioners coincided in Mr. \\ arnes' views and their recommendations under this head practically emj i lO °pi n *<> n ® of the officer above alluded to.

Does the delay in carrying out the Commission s recommendations mean

the "tin hats" have been successful in blocking this much-needed reform because 10 was originally suggested, by a civilian j* at loolts very much like it. 2i.ua yet it must be evident to every sensible person that for mere clerks to oe rigged. out in military uniforms and be clubbed lieutenants and captains and. so torth is very ridiculous. That no change in this stupid system is contemplated would seem at least to be proved by the announcement that a certain high official of the Post Office is to proceed toi ifingland to superintend the postal business m connection with the New Zealand Expeditionary l<'orce, and that he is to be invested with, the title of major. _ What can be more absurd than to compel an elderly gentleman of generous physical proportions, wlio Has been comfortable enough in a tweed suit, to rig himself up as he were going to do duty in the trenches, instead of sitting in a snug and peaceful/ office in .London ? To carry such a farce to its logical issue, every sorting clerk in the Wellington G.P.0.,wh0 has to handle mail matter destined for the forces abroad, should wear uniform and be dubbted private, or corporal, etc.

The Government should at once put into force the recommendations of the Commission and the gentlemen who strut about the streets of the city in military uniform, but who have never been "to the front" and will never be there—except on pay days, and as the magic hours of 11.30 a.m. and 4.30: p.m. approach —will be obliged to return to their customary and proper civilian garb. Perhaps their lady friends may grieve) over a loss of that element of the picturesque and romantic connected with military uniform. But a big saving would be effected, and Brown, Jones or Robinson would do his clerical work just as well as Plain Mi&r ter Brown, etc., etc., as he would with a bogus military title tacked on to his name. If the Government be wise it will institute this useful reform before Parliament meets.