NEW UNIFORMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1940, Page 6

NEW UNIFORMS

ISSUE TO NEW ZEALAND TROOPS DESCRIBED BY MINISTER. RESEMBLING BRITISH BATTLE DRESS. i Working to Government specifications, New Zealand firms have started | to make Army uniforms to the pattern of the British battle dress, states the “N.Z. Herald" In a telephone conversation from Wellington, the Minister of Defence, the Hon F. Jones, said it was intended to equip all members of the third echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force with this uniform. The battle dress is the result of a number of years of research to secure comfort and durability. It also includes facilities to carry soldier’s personal possessions, such as small trinkets. Instead of the better-known khaki tunic with a stocklike collar, there is a belted blouse, rather like a lumber jacket, with a soft buttoned collar, buttoned cuffs and two fair-sized patch pockets on the chest. The trousers also are very different from the familiar "stove pipes" of the present New Zealand uniform. Said by Mr Jones to resemble ski-ing trousers, they are of ankle ,en g.tJl_ f>nd wide, and have a deep patch pocket on the front of the left thigh and another on the back. They can be secured over the boot with either a strap or a gaiter. Khaki is still the colour, but another notable .difference? is the absence of glinting brass buttons, thus relieving the soldier of his present monotonous task of polishing. The New Zealanders. would retain their distinctive hats.