Special Committee Defence Bill, 1951 debate -
Thursday, 1 May 1952

SECTION 264.

Captain Cowan

I move amendment No. 304 :—

In sub-section (2), line 42, after " forces " to insert " and which in accordance with clothing regulations made by the Minister are still considered serviceable and fit for use by the Defence Forces or a member thereof ".

Sub-section (2) provides :—

" In this section—

the expression ‘ service textile article ' means any article of a textile nature issued to or for the use of members of the Defence Forces ;

the expression ‘ converted service textile article ' means any service textile article which has been converted into another article."

I want to add " and which in accordance with clothing regulations made by the Minister are still considered serviceable and fit for use by the Defence Forces or a member thereof ". I do not think that it is an unreasonable amendment. If the articles are not serviceable, if they are not fit for use by the Defence Forces or a member thereof, then they are not a uniform within the meaning of this section. They are not a service textile article and to dye or convert such an article should not be an offence.

Mr. Traynor

As I have already said, in order to prevent the stealing or sale of uniforms, blankets, and so on, it is the policy not to sell any of these articles in a whole state, and in the exceptional cases where they are so sold, dyeing companies are prohibited from dyeing them without a permit. This was a most prevalent offence during the last emergency, when clothes rationing existed, and it had to be stopped. The section applies to more than clothing, which also makes the Deputy's amendment unacceptable. It also covers blankets and other articles of a textile nature.

Mr. Collins

My experience is that if you apply to the Department with any reasonable justification for permission to dye you get it.

Captain Cowan

This means an article of a textile nature issued to or for the use of members of the Defence Forces. If the Committee feel that I should not press the amendment I will withdraw it.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sections 264 and 265 agreed to.