SOLDIERS' UNIFORMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 227, 13 June 1918, Page 6

SOLDIERS' UNIFORMS

MINISTER REPLIES TO COMPLAINTS.

Complaints by New Zealand soldiors at tliu front regardthg the uniform issued to them under the now dress regulations wore lately brought under the notice of the Minister of Defence. Sir James Allien, in a letter from Mr. C. J. Parr, M.P. In February last nn army trder tvas issued requiring a much looser and larger jacket tlinn was formerly in use. Tho new uniform is alleged to lie generally about two sizes larger tli>m one which would bo made by a tailor-under ordinary conditions. Tho men at the front I'omplain that the New Zealand soldier instead of being smart in appearance, looks untidy and unkempt in comptirison with their Australian and Canadian comrade.

Tn his answer to Mr. Parr's letter the Minister states that the clothing and boots issued are fitted strictly in accord anee with instructions laid down in tlw regulations for the clothing of tliei Army Olio paragraph of these regulations provides that "frocks aud jackets of all descriptions will be fitted loosely over a Cardigan waistcoat or jersey, iso as to admit of extra clothing being worn underneath in cold weather, and, to allow for shrinkage of material." In regard to boots, the regulations give as reasons for the issue of large sizes the .'facte that the foot expands and' lengthens under pressure, and that allowanco, must be made for the proper motions of bones and muscles, expansion and contraction, otherwise there is liability to malformation and bunions. The Minister recalls the fact' that in the retreat from Mons the feet of 'the soldiers suffclred severely through the wearing, for lDng periods, of neatly-fitting boots. In p,tower to the statement of Mr. Parr's torrespendeut at the front that the Neiv Zealanders look less smart than the. Australians, the Minister remarks: ''The people of Wellington have recently had ample opportunity of .ludging for thoniselves, and it was noted that the Australian uniform was much looser than th/it of the New Zealanders. You will, I think, readily admit the soundness of the principles governing tlib equipment of our men, and will agree with me in saying that the dress of a soldier should be such as to give the maximum cf efficiency and comfort."

Mr. Parr, in a fnrtli er letter to tho Minister, slates that the, objection was not to the .boots, but to'the new type of uniform. Further, he says, that in 191(i, when he was in Europe, most New Zealanders agrce-S that tho Australian soldiers looked somewhat smarter in their khaki uniform and turned-up Jiats than did our men. It must, of course, lie recognised that.comfort and efficiency are the grent desiderata, but he thinks the men ought to be given or permitted to purchase at low rates better fitting tunics when tliev go to England on leave or to meet -relatives tlmn those they have now to wear in the field.