DEFENCE EXPENDITURE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 126, 14 February 1918, Page 7

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE

THE COMMISSION INTERESTING EVIDENCE By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, February 13. The Defence Expenditure Commission resumed to-day. Lieutenant Bodle, ■■x-Director of Supplies at Narrow Neck Camp, recalled, gave further evidence regarding receipt, issue, use, and waste in reference to the rationing of troops. He submitted returns of the system in vogue before lie took charge, and of the system proposed by him, whereby there would be a check on dishonesty and waste. Certain changes had been made in the meantime, and he claimed that these had been made as a result of his representations. Captain Mellows, Assistant Director of Supplies and Transport for tho Auckland district, stated that the system submitted by Lieutenant Bodle varied very little from that in vogue at present. He was satisfied with the system, and thought it fairly effective, but admitted that if a man liked to be dishonest it might be open to error or fraud. There was also the possibility that this fraud might not he detected. In reply to the president, he stated that possibly the introduction of Lieutenant Bodie's system would tend to tho prevention of any manipulation of accounts. He would make suggestions for improvements if he saw that these were necessary. He had been in his present position for about three years and did not know that he had made any suggestions. Ho had to obey orders, and had followed the instructions laid down. The president: Then we come to the fact that you are first and foremost a soldier, and that whether tho system is good'or bad you would follow it?— "Yes, I suppose so, sir. I have to obey orders." The president: But do you not realise that while this may be imperative on active service, there may he room for suggestions when you are hot? What fs running through my mind is.that you should have been for three'years running a system obviously defective without making some suggestion for its improvement. AVitness: I may suggest that Lieutenant Bodle made a lecommendacion to 'Wellington. The president: Do you know why Lieutenant Bodle was removed?—" One of the reasons wasthat there was not enough' work for him." But the fact remained that you Old not know what it cost to fe«d man or horse?—"We could very soon get it if we wanted it." ' How can you tell?—"We can tell whether rations are over-drawn or un-der-drawn." .•Do you do that?—"Yos."And the cost?—" No." How can you possibly arrive at anything • accurate by only knowing that this or that unit draws a little more or a little less than another, and not knowing the cost of material?—"As supply officers we are not <tsked to give'that information." Captain W. V. Wilson, Assistant Quartermaster-General. Auckland, gave instances' of fed tape in tho matter of minor supplies. _ ... . ; The Commission adjourned and visited Narrow Neck Camp.