AUSTRALIA'S WAR EXPENDITURE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 129, 18 February 1918, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S WAR EXPENDITURE

SERIOUS BREAKDOWN IN ADMINK

IRATION

BUSINESS .MEN TO CONTROL DEFENCE ACCOUNTS

Melbourne, February 16. The report of the Commission which has been inquiring into the management of the Defence Department states that enormous losses are likely to be sustained by the Commonwealth owing to the serious mismanagement if the Department. It recommends the reorganisation of the wholo of the business affairs of the Department, and calls for the appointment of a board of expert 'business men to take full control. The policy of appointing men trained only as soldiers is severely criticised. . It is stated in the report that in 191") tho Commonwealth proposed to equip and dispatch three additional divisions to the front. Although, owiri» to an alteration of plans., only one division was sent, supplies ior three divisions continued to pour in, and accumulated to such an (extent that, notwithstanding the issues since made, the ordnance stores were still greatly overstocked at the end of August, 1917; boots, jackets, and rreatcoat material, valued at £2,000,000, wero held in stock, beinr; £1,200,000 in excess of requirements. _ At a meeting of the Federal Cabinet it was decided to follow- the Commission's advice, and appoint a Board ot Administration, consisting of three business men—Press Assn.