OFFICERS’ UNIFORMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 29, 27 September 1912, Page 4

OFFICERS’ UNIFORMS.

With the recent debate in the House on the Defence estimates, and the references which were then made to officers’ uniforms fresh in mind, it is interesting to find that in England amongst the proposed reforms in the army which are intended to reduce the cost of service to the officer, the reform in drfiss offer the greatest resistance. A- Committee lias just completed its labours at the War Office on this very subject. Its recommendations are a general simplification of the officer’s dress all round. In the main, tins will mean a more general utilisation of the blue serge patrol and the abolition of the frock-coat. 'lt is stated that in reality the reason whv it is so difficult to effect reform in the matter of officers’ dress is to be found in the hold that the tailors have upon the supply and .demand. It is suggested by this Committee that the army should meet the demand itself by having an officers’ tailoring department. This would mean a great Cheapening of the cost of outfit for all young officers joining,. hut, on the other hand, a great number of officers from this very first day’s service are hopelessly mortgaged to their tailors. Tne Committee, it appears, has found it impossible to recommend the Continental system, by which the' officer draws the material from a Government contractor at little above cost price, and has the. material fashioned by a regimental tailor. The chief objection that is urged to this is the fear of indifferent tailoring, which is believed to lead to laxity in dress and consequently to slackness in discipline.