POSTMEN’S ATTIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 15

POSTMEN’S ATTIRE

OPEN-NECK SHIRTS BANNED. Postmen in Britain have again been refused permission for the wearing of open-neck shirts. This is the decision of the Postmaster-general. The Union of Post Office Workers contend that the country postmen, carrying a heavy bag' along miles of hot and dusty roads, would be just as good a servant to the public arid just as much respected by them if ho had a collar open at the neck. But in the opinion of the Postmaster-general smartness of appearance, which is associated in the public mind with efficiency, would be endangered. , Postmen have another little grumble. One of them said: “ We are tired of carrying matches in our hats and with putting cigarettes behind our_ ears. Why not have pockets in our tunics? , , “We are still attached to the badge of misfortune—the sack. Still, I suppose it would look rather strange to see uS deliver letters from ah attache case and parcels from a suitcase or some other contraption. ; ' , “ Things are not' quite as bad as they were a few years ago though, when we had to have our trousers, creased down the sides instead of the middle. > Our new caps arc much more comfortable as well. With the old Victorian headgear, rain drained into the collar at the back and down the face.”