DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 95, 15 January 1918, Page 6

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION

Sir,—After reading the various and conflicting newspaper comments on the subject of the Defence Expenditure Commission, I feel impelled to point out what I consider would be an cquitablo and impartial procedure in the interests both of the public and the military authorities. The personnel of the Commission is composed of gentlemen repute! to possess sound business ability qualifying them to deal with, specifically finance, and to rectify unnecessary' waste on the commercial f.ide, also to an extent upon tho military side. There is, however, another aspect, the. necessary essential military expenditure to maintain efficiency in the service. To obtain a fair determination upon this issue of the inquiry the Government should have added two senior retired, fully-experienc-ed staff Departmental military officers to the Commission. Those officers would hold the position more of advisory members upon the military necessities of the issues, and could not_ be accused of prejudice or military bias, being officers experienced in. military active requirements, and competent to advise upon essentials in the interests and efficiency _of the war undertakings of our Dominion. II is understood that six t months will be given to' the Commission to carry out its investigations, reporting in time for next session of Parliament. It is an absolute certainty that a report from the Commission, as at present constituted, would be open to severe criticism from Parliament and. public, since it vo'dd not be above reproach as one-sided. It is not vet too late for the Government to add to the personnel of the Commission in order to complete its efficiency and to preserve a just balance, r.nd there are several senior retired officers whose experience, integrity and impartiality could not be challonged.—l am, etc., 1 IMPERIAL CITIZEN.