"SCARLET FEVER."

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3513, 26 June 1920, Page 2

"SCARLET FEVER."

POSTERING OLD TRADITIONS. LONDON June S. ■ln the House of Commons to-,day, replying to questions regarding the decision to re-uniform the army similarly to the pre-war dress, which caused much' criticism, Mr Churchill (Secretary of State for War and Air) stated that full dress would be immediately issued to the Guards and Household Cavalry owing to their ceremonial duties. This would involve an avftidaVle expenditure of £130,000, but the abolition of their full dress would mean the loss of fully £BO,OOO. The re-clothing of the rest of th.army would be spread over four or five years. No existing stocks of khaki would be wasted, and khaki would remain permanently the working and service dress of the whole army. It is contended that the historic uniforms of the British army carried with them, a sense of continuity and regimental traditions, which was good for recruiting and discipline. Reclothing would be well worth while if it were done thriftily. In reply to further questions, Mr Churchill said that it was never intended to abolish the Irusli Guards, but the condition of recruiting for the Welsh Guards had raised the question of the continuance of the regiment. The Army Council had reserved judgment "on the question. The Daily Mail bitterly renounces Mr Winston Churchill's "fit of searlet fever," namely, the army, uniform scheme, pointing out that the country has learned by bitter experience that departmental estimates and actual costs rarely agree.