EXTRAVAGANCE AND WASTE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 288, 1 September 1919, Page 5

EXTRAVAGANCE AND WASTE

ANGER AGAINST GOVERNMENT AROUSED

WAR MATERIAL ALLOWED TO ROT

AMMUNITION BOX SCANDAL ' By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, August :29. Public anger at tho Government's extravagance is growing, and the I'ress campaign continues unabated, disclosing fresh examples of waste every day. The papers give lengthy descriptions of the wilderness of wagons and gun-carriages peacefully rotting at Didcot (Berkshire) which the military are carefully guarding. The "Morning Post" gave details of a 'box scandal. Although the soldiers in France were strictly ordered to preserve and return ammunition boxes to the Minister of Munitions, there was no adequate system of checking. Consequently twelve millions sterling worth of boxes went adrift. Maiiy were stolen pothers were destroyed; others sold at ridiculous rates. In some instances contractors had a free issuo of boxes, for which they lator received payment. The Minister made no attempt to collect the boxes from the contractors' dumps when tho armistice was signed, and continued to manufacture the boxes after the armistice. The newspaper quotes instances of extensive muddles in selling the boxes without calling tenders. It is significant that Lord Rothermere now blames Mr. Bonar Law, who has practically been Prime Minister since January, and declares that he is responsible for allowing the country to drift into difficulties. The newspapers point out that the Admiralty and the War Office and Air Force are in an awkward predicament, owing to Cabinet's failure to decidu oil the, strength of the standing army, and other peace establishments, in absence of which decisions tliey were iiinable to prepare final returns or to economise. The papers call attention to the national shipbuilding yards at Chepstow, Beochley, and' Portbury, where Sir Eric Geddes stated in 1917 thirty-eight slipways would be constructed, costing £3,887,000. The scheme has proved a dismal failure. It is estimated that from four to five milions has already been exponded, and only two vessels have been launched, one of which was almost completed befoio the private yard in which it'was begun was ■ commandeered.—Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 1