POSTAL UNIFORMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 13

POSTAL UNIFORMS

DELAY IN ISSUE

AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONDEFENCE REQUIREMENTS. Delay in the supply or uniforms to Post mid Telegraph staffs was due to the demands being made upon clothing factories for tlio production of army clothing, stated the Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones, in a Press Association message received from Wanganui yesterday. He said he had no doubt that staffs would be satisfied the department was doing its best to remedy the position. The uniform requirements of the defence services. Mr. Jones said, had delayed the making of supplies of New Zealand cloth for postal garments, and the making of the cloth into uniforms by a contractor. The contractor was already fulfilling a proportion of outstanding orders, and every effort was being made to overtake arrears. In tlio emergency the department had informed officers it would be necessary to revert to ordinary attiro if the uniform became too shabby for wear before it could be replaced. The department also asked for particulars of cases in which controlling officers considered hardship was caused by the need for an officer to provide his own clothing, Mr. Jones continued. It was yet too soon to judge how long it would take the contractor to overtake tlio arrears. Cases of hardship would bo given special consideration when the position was better known. So far as waterproof garments were concerned, there was no difficulty in meeting the requirements of those entitled to issues. It had to bo realised that the outbreak of war seriously interfered with normal conditions in many other lines of activities beside the making of clothing and uniforms. This country was not tbo only one to experience similar difficulties.