WAR EXPENDITURE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 218, 10 June 1943, Page 4

WAR EXPENDITURE

Examination By, Public

Accounts Committee

His willingness to submit the War Expenses Account to the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives was repeated by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in the House in reply to a question asked on behalf of the Speaker, Mr. Barnard (as member for Napierh by Mr. Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn). , ~ Mr. Barnard’s question was whether, in view of the fact that war expenditure, which accounted for approximately threequarters of (the Dominion’s total expenditure, was not at present subject to examination by the House as were civil estimates, the Prime Minister would set up a select committee to examine and report to the House on all proposed outlav under the War Expenses Account. That had been the special responsibility of the Leader of the Opposition while a member of the War Cabinet, but since his -retirement from that position no persons had apparently been appointed to carry out this work, which, it was suggested, was essential in the public interest and was also the prerogative of the House. , . • >• The Prime Minister, replying immediately, said the’ duty of supervising war expenditure was the function of Mr. Hamilton, and that could have been ascertained by inquiry. Mr. Fraser said he was willing and would be very pleased indeed that the War Expenses Account be submitted to the Public Committee, which was an admirable and wellsuited body, with representatives of all parties.

On the suggestion of the Prime Minister the Public Accounts Committee ot the House was increased to 15 members bv the appointment of the Minister ot Finance, Mr. Nash, the Minister in charge of War Expenditure, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Harker (Opposition, Waipawa).

DIFFICULTIES IN HEATING RAILWAY CARRIAGES

The difficulties in heating railway carriages were explained by the Minister of Mr. Semple, iu the House when replying to an urgent question byMr Frost (Governnient, New Plymouth). He had asked that steps be taken to ensure some measure of hqating in trains during the winter months, mentioning that isteam heating had been discontinued on all daylight expresses and that unless some substitute was found passengers would suffer great discomfort and their health would be endangered. The restriction in steam heating was due to an acute shortage of hose arising from war conditions, replied the Minister. Hose was unprocurable overseas, some supplies had been obtained from manufacturers in New Zealand, but the wastage was fairly substantial. It was quite out of the question to remove the restrictions at present. The use of the old type footwarmers was impracticable as supplies of the necessary interior heating acids were not available.