SOLDIER'S UNIFORM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 62, 6 April 1943, Page 7

SOLDIER'S UNIFORM

4. HELD OF IMPORTANCE TO ARMY MORALE Army authorities have been motivated by considerations of health and morale, in their determination not to "cheapen" the .soldier's unilorm by any considerable revision of the. .standard specifications* governing the many fabrics that go into Avearing apparel for the armed forces. That point was emphasised by Major Frank M. Steadman, of the research and promotion division at the Army Quartermaster Depot, in an'.address before the Philadelphia section of the Textile Colourists' and Chemists' Association. "The close affinity between clothing and morale is of tremendous importance," lie said, "because food, clothing and -shelter are the basic, fundamental requirements' of a man for life and. health. The. soldiers.' clothing, particularly in active phases of warfare, may be his onlj r shelter. Therefore suitable clothing is absolutely essential. Pup tents or mountain tents are not ed. The jungles and deserts arc not air-conditioned. On a soldier's clothing may depend his life." "The well-fed, well-clothed soldier is a contented soldier and, given a chance, to present a good appearance, his morale goes up, and with it those of his fellows," Major Steadman pointed out. "The question of morale cannot be over-emphasised. It affects definitely the efficiency of training programmes, and because of that, very directly the outcome of every engagement with the enemy. Coupled to this known effect of clothing and equpment on morale is the influence which may not often be appreciated—conservation. "Conservation of textiles, both cotton and wool, is of extreme im-* portance at present. A mail well fitted with good clothing and satisfactory equipment will take care of it. There will be no tendency to get rid of an item in the hopes of getting -something better, or at least something new in its place. As. a result, replacements are materially reduced, resulting in definite, conservation of raw materials. Thus, questions of morale and conservation arc indissolubly tied together." Major Steadman also called attention to another argument which could well fie used against reduction of specification requirements by alluding to the great sales of ex.-. cess stocks by so-called army and navy stores after the last Avar. "It is regrettable that a great deal of that, merchandise, was; of poor quality," he said. "Consequently, there was an impetus from the armed forces to rid themselves of that stock. I regard it as far more economical to maintain the quality of merchandise so that there, will be no tendency to dispose of it at the end of the war."