DRESS OF NAVAL MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13006, 25 October 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

DRESS OF NAVAL MEN.

LOWER DECK IDEAS.

For some tinpie past it has been hinted in various quarters that the Admiralty is contemplating a "Change in the present naval uniform.

With a view to submitting suggestions on the subject to the Admiralty the matter has been thoroughly discussed by a representative committee of petty officers and seamen of all ratings at Devonport, and the Express is now able to outline the conclusions which have been arrived at.

Briefly stated, the committee propose the abolition of: —

Straw hats, loose tunics, baggy trousers, cloth material, brown ducks, white starched shirts (petty officers), waistcoats (petty officers). The cardinal point of the committee's programme is that all ratings, from chief petty officer to "boy," should wear the same style of uniform, the only difference being in the badges, buttons, and class of material.

The strong argument* in favour of this proposal is that at present when a man is promoted from petty officer to ship's corporal, or chief petty officer, or from leading stoker to chief stoker, he loses about £10 through change of uniform. This is considered a severe tax on promotion, whereas if a single style were adopted the only expense a promoted man would be put to would be a few shillings for new badges, or- in the case, of a chief petty officer, a double-breasted • jacket. The new uniform for all ratings would therefore include: —

Peaked cap, with white cover for summer. Buttoned jacket, fitting neck comfortably, with small turn-down collar.

Jacket sleeves and trousers of ordinary pattern, comfortably cut, instead of •' baggy." White knitted jerseys. White soft shirts for petty officers. Khaki working suits, with brown boots. The cost> of the new kit would be £8 5s 3d, as against £8 7s 3d at present. It is claimed that the peaked cap would serve all occasions, and, with the addition of a neck-flap, would be useful for landing expeditions. It is also proposed that the reforms should apply to the marines and marine artillery, and that they and the bluejackets should all be uniformed alike.