A WARNING ABOUT ARMY GREAT COATS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 295, 24 July 1917, Page 2

A WARNING ABOUT ARMY GREAT COATS.

Prosecutions For Unauthor* ised Use. The wearing of military greatcoats by ex-members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, members of the Territorial Force and Senior Cadets, when in mufti, is becoming a general practice (states a District Order), and it has been decided to enforce the observance of the regulation which makes it an offence to wear uniform or any part thereof except when on military duty. Any person who wears a military greatcoat when in plain clothes commits an offence. A Territorial is liable to a fine not exceeding £2 for each such offence, recoverable on summary conviction ; and the Military and Civil Police are instructed to institute proceedings against all such offenders in future. Discharged members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force cannot wear uniform without the permission of the Adjutant-General or the Officer Commanding the District. " Mauy applications," it is stated, " have been received from discharged soldiers, by various firms, to dye military greatcoats. The dyeing of military greatcoats is strictly forbidden, and all firms carrying on business as dyers have been so advised Furthermore, it is not in the interests of returned soldiers to have their greatcoats dyed, as parades will be held at a later date for the presentation of medals or for other ceremonial purposes, at which they will be permitted to appear in uniform. The greatcoat is an essential part of a soldier's uniform and in the case of a discharged returned soldier, is his own property. Nevertheless it is a military coat, and cannot be worn for other than military purposes. As many military coats have been officially issued to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force with other than the recognised pattern of military buttons, the removal of military buttons, and the replacement thereof with non-military buttons, does not alter the fact that the coat is a military one." Instructions have been issued to the police to take proceedings again9t any offender on or after July 14, 1917.