18 JULY 1914, Page 3

In this context we may mention a very interesting church

parade held on Sunday last by the let Battalion (Croydon) Surrey National Reserve. The men were all in uniform which they had provided for themselves with the help of their friends and supporters in the borough. They had wisely chosen no fancy uniform, but the ordinary khaki field-service dress of the British Army. By a marvel of good management and organization, they acquired these very smart-looking uniforms—cap, tunic, trousers, puttees, and bandolier—for an inclusive sum of 9s. 6d. We cannot help thinking that the best solution of the uniform problem would be for the War Office to inform the Territorial Associations that any Association may, if it chooses, allow the men in Class I. or Class II.—i.e., the men who have taken one or other of the two obligations—to wear uniform, provided the uniform conforms to the regulation khaki field-service dress in material and pattern, with the addition of the words " National Reserve," preceded by the name of the county, on the shoulder-straps. We have no doubt that this privilege would induce a great many men to sign one or other of the obligations who are now hesitating or putting the matter off. An improvement on this plan would be for the Government to present their uniforms to those who signed the oversew obligation ; but here the question of money comes in. If there is not money enough for both, it is, of course, imperative that the needs of the Regular and Territorial Forces should first be met.