CLOTHING THE TROOPS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 80, 29 August 1914, Page 3

CLOTHING THE TROOPS.

SOME 11KIH I'R'ESSUHE WORK. Supplying the' Expeditionary Force with kits at such short notice is- testing tlie resources of a number of clothing factories in the Dominion. Some thirteen establishments are being run at high pressure to execute orders in k'haki, the' turn-out being about 5000 garments of diU'erent kinds per week. The manufacture of worsteds for this clothing is keeping the looms at the , Onelmnga, l'ctorie, Napier, Oaina.ru and Mosgiel works going at high pressure, some of"'them working,three shifts to fulfil orders, and even then the supply of material is hardly enough to cope with 'the demands of the manufacturers. Kot only have 'flits uniforms for the rank and tile to be made. but. in addition, the dozens of uniforms ordered privately by oflivers have to he turned lout at the "shortest notice. Then there is a large amount of extra equipment, such as the valise (comprising a sleeping bag and a cover for carrying kits) to be made. Opinion-t as to the ellicacy of the sleeping kits appear » foe divided, the contention on one hand being that they are little better than useless, while | on the other it is maintained that they give, considerable comfort to the sleeper. That, some of the officers, hold .the -latter view is indicated by the tact that several of the bags have been ordered. Apart from his "uniform, every -man has to be equipped with an overcoat, made like the uniform, of the best material, and with the best workmanship, and several thousands of these are being made with as much despatch as possible. The overcoats are made in eleven different sizes, •■while the uniforms-arc manufactured in no fewer than 31 siws, to suit all builds of soldiers. Eavh private's equipment includes- a service uniform, a denim suit ffor working in white on shipboard and elsewhere), two woollen shirts, two pairs of woollen ' singlets and underpants, two pairs socks, 1 two hats, and a little contrivance called ' a "housewife", (pronounced "hussiil ) for carrying knife, fork and metal -cup.