OFFICERS' KITS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2741, 8 April 1916, Page 7

OFFICERS' KITS

GOVERNMENT GRANT FAR TOO SMALL . TYPICAL EXAMPLE The chief topic of. disoussioiv at the Hosting: of tiipj'kayor's .Patriotic Com-, mittee yesterday aroso out of members of the committee haying been approached by officers inquiring as to whether it could not assist tliem financially' in the purchase of their equipment. Mr. A. Marryatt. who was one of the number so approached, said that reproeentations had been made to liiin that the Government allowance (£25) was insufficient to jiurohase the "kit" to* quired by an officer going on active service. 'One typical case was that of a voung'man studying a profession,; who had received £20, >vith the promise ot another £5 from the Department, and whose pay had been mortgaged up till May in order to pay for the cost of his equipment, over and above the amount allowed by the Department.. He stated that the Auckland Patriotic Society was giving • each officer . £10 when required, ana most of the' other Patriotic Societies were doing likewise. In support of his - argument the speaker picduced an inventory of the "kit" of the officer in question, which read as follows:—One uniform, £4 2s 6a.; 1 ■uniform, £3 155.; 1 uniform (drill), £2 55.:. 3 pairs boots, £4 155.; 2 caps, £1 4s;; 1 hat. 10s.; 1 overcoat, £2 155.; 1 British "warmer," '£2 15a.; 5 pairs stars, 12s. 6d.; 6 shirts, £2 6s. 6a.; 4 underpants, £1 45.; 4 singlets, £110s.; stick, 3s. 6d.; 3 ties, 7s. 6d.; 6 pairs 600kSj 155.; 1 haversack, 2s. 6a.; 1 pair ; braces, 2s. 6d.; 2" pairs puttees," 165.,.^.; 1 • "Sam Browne,": £1 ,55.; 1 sword, £2 25.; khaki handkerchiefs, 6s. 9d.; 3 blankets, £1 10s.; 1 valise, £2 125.; 1 ! tin trunk, £2; 3 pairs pyjamas, £1' 17s. 6d:; 1 pair shoes, 4s.< (3d.; 1' boot-cleaning outfit, 3s. 6d.; button stick, etc., 3s. 6d.; 1 camp stretcher, £1 Is.; books :and manuals, £1 ss.' ! Total, £44 12s. 9d. A note attached to tho inventory read"l have beeii in camp wearing' this outfit for five months, and know that the articles named are necessary. I have not allowed for wear, particularly of underclothing and ■ boots. I have actually paid for repair of boots 195., and they " are, of course, now less serviceable." The members agreed pretty well'that the list was not at all extravagant, particularly in .view of. the prospect of a five ■weeks' sea trip.. Mr. C. E. Smith thought that they ■ should again meet the Minister of Defence and bring pressure to bear upon him to make the allowance to officers something nearer the outla'y necessary. It was, he thought, highly essential that all officers should be fully equipped, and' that without having to dip into their own pockets,, otherwise at a critical moment it may mean that some shortage would result in the loss of lives, under him. 1 . _ Mr. Wm. Ferguson, referring to tht list figured: out by tho Minister of Defence or, his officers,! said this was the price at which tho Department was prepared to supply the equipment, and if officers went elsewhere they would have to pay a higher rate. / ■ Mr. Marryatt said lie* had inquired as. to that, and found that the officer . had gone to the Government tenderer for his outfit. . Mr. Ferguson moved that the £10 •which had been advanced by "Mr. Marryatt to the officer, in question be refunded him. V -The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that doubtless many of the officers now coming forward were less , able to pay out of their .own pockets than those who went with the earlier Reinforcements, but a duty devolved upon them to . see that tho men . were . properly equipped. He knew that- the Invcrcar- ■ gill. Society was giving £10 to, each of their' officers, as he had paid over the money to. those who' went in the'last Reinforcement, and. that day had received a letter asking him to attend, to four other men from that district who were going with' tjie next lot, so that other Patriotic Societies were realising that the Government allow- » ance was inadequate.' approach the Minister once more, and closely urge" him to realise tho Government's responsibility in providing the soldier with all the equipment for the duties he was called upon to do. If they 'could not oersuade the' Minister to increase ~ the allowance, then they must take it upon themselves to make an effort to make up tHo difference. '. : ;It was then moved and seconded that a deputation wait upon the Minister- of Defence in regard to the matter some , day next.-week, such deputation to consist of all members of the' committee. I