REGIMENTAL UNIFORMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21978, 13 June 1933, Page 6

REGIMENTAL UNIFORMS

TO THE EUITOB. SiK, —Much prominence has been given of late in the correspondence columns ot the Daily Times to an advocacy of a change in the uniform of the Otago Regiment to that ot a Scottish regiment. I trust that all New Zealanders will emphatically protest against any such change. If any change is let it be to uniforms portraying New Zealand emblems. Otherwise one could suggest to other New Zealand regiments uniforms in keeping with allied English or Welsh regiments. One can hardly perceive the possibility of any allied regiment in Scotland allowing uniforms to portray “ All Black ” emblems. It lias been suggested by some writers that the Scottish societies should support the change. If. this is the aim of the Scottish societies, woe betide them. A timely slogan to such promotors is: “When in New Zealand, do as New Zealand does.”— l am, etc., Colonised. TO THE EDITOR Sir, —A number of letters have appeared in your columns lately re tartan uniforms for the Otago Infantry Company. I consider the taxpayer has enough to pay at present without any extra expense in that direction. Khaki was good enough

for the Otago Company during the War, and should be good enough in days of peace. The cost of these camps, too, is a big expense, especially as men and horses have to be transported a long way, and all have to be fed. If an improvement is to be made in the equipment of these there is ample scope for those in favour of it to subscribe to a fund to purchase decent boots for the troops. It was painful to see the majority at the recent parade on the sodden ground at the Oval wearing shoes, fit only for a dance room, and displaying fancy socks below their puttees. Also the wav these inen wear their uniform when off parade calls for comment. One sees great coats flying open, collars turned up, some men with collar and tie showing, 6ome with tan shoes, some with gloves, some with hands in breeches' pockets, etc> Surely they can be instructed how to dress when proceeding to and going off parade. In 1914, while in camp with the Main Body in Tab una Park, a street piquet soon pulled a man up if he had one greatcoat button undone; we were told we were " regimentally naked." Hoping this criticism is taken in the spirit in which it is given.—l am, etc., Ex-Sergeant Main Body, N.Z.E.F, June 12. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The inspecting officer at a Christchurch volunteer review years ago concluded his inspection with an oration which commenced: " Gentlemen of the C.Y.C. (Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry), men of other units," To cultivate a snobbish militaristic spirit in New Zealand is very undesirable, to ceremoniously masquerade New Zealand amateurs in imitation of British regulars is as ridiculous as sending a boy to school dressed in his father's clothes. Sartorial apeing is not usually considered a sound foundation on which to develop character, selfrespect, and efficiency._ What is under some Dunedin territorials' hats?—-I am, etc., Cave Canem.