A SERIOUS MATTER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2839, 2 August 1916, Page 4

A SERIOUS MATTER

The question of -which Mis. Veitoh gave notice in the House of Representatives _ yesterday concerning military uniforms said to have beon mado of inferior stuff or faultily sewn . is ono of very grave importance. There arc most unpli>asant'. stories in circulation on tiie_ subject, and in view of the uneasiness _ they must necessarily occasion it is regrettable that tho question was not made one of Urgency and the Minister notified in advance, so that he could have made a reply at onco. According to Mr. Vehch's question the uniforms are stated to havo been condemned by ■fche Defence authorities, and the I purpose tho member for Wanganui has in view apparently is to ascertain upon whqm the loss is to. fall. Wo have no hesitation in saying that the matter should be carried further than this. It is not merely a question of who is to .bear the loss of the condemned uniforms. If they wore condemned it must be assumed that they did not come up to specification, and in that case the loss must be the contractor's. The. point, however, of most concern to the public, assuming that inferior material or workmanship was detected, is whether such shortcomings were likely to be prejudicial to tho'health or comforb of our troops. The Government very properly decided- ou a class and quality of uniform for the troops which was likely to prove serviceable under the conditions anticipated iu the fighting lines, and one which would afford our' troops the best possible protection against the weather. Presumably they paid a prico which would justify them in expecting workmanship and material that would como up to specification. It seems incredible that any contractor in (this country would seek to add to his profits at ,the expense of the comfort or health of our soldiers; butifanyesac of the kind should be discovered the Government will, wo trust, inflict tho heaviest possible penalty. In dealing with Mb. Veitch's question today the Minister, we have no doubt, will give tho" fullest possible information on the subject. The stories current may bo exaggerated, but they certainly call for an official denial or explanation.