WAR EXPENSES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2377, 5 February 1915, Page 6

WAR EXPENSES

STATEMENT BY HON. J. ALLEN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ounedin, February 4. A reporter who called upon the Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, learned some interesting facts respecting the position of the war expenses account of tho Government. The sum of £146,362 10s. sd. has been received by the Government in the way of contributions to the Empire Defence Fund. A .proportion of the money, £9730 7s. 6d., was contributed for specified objects, and of that amount £3167 12s. 4d. has been expended in the purchase of horses, £2264 16s. Bd. ha 6 been devoted to the School Ambulanco Fund, £2130 10s. 3d. to the-field ambulance, and £1106 14s. in the purchase of Other amounts have also been expended in tho direction indicated by the donors. The balance of the contribution, amounting to £136,632 2s. lid., will be allocated as tho Government may decide and portion of it has already been used to meet expenses in.connection with the war. The Government has also, expended £50,723 15s. sd. for the purchase of horses and £5340 12s. 6d. for mechanical transport, and the £20,000 voted under the Appropriation Act of. last year for Belgian relief has been forwarded, and by this time no doubt has fulfilled its object of mercy. Large sums have. been spent on equipment, forage, transport, and other items, but at present it is not possible to state the exact amount.