DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 October 1924, Page 7

DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION.

$ NEED FOR ECONOMY. MINISTERIAL OPINIONS. <in . WELLINGTON, Oct. 28. Owing to the pressing need fo economy,” stated the Hon. J G Coates in the Public Works State ment, “very little expenditure unde 1918, but the estimates for the curren year show considerable extension Provision is made for magazines fo gun and small arms ammunition; add; tioual harbour defence works j provij ion of new drill-halls and rifle ranges water supply, ■ cookhouses, and mesi rooms* for camps; quarters for defent staff; and the provision for an aer< drome at Auckland. All the worl are urgent and necessary for tfc proper training of the forces and' 1 tf administration of the department ii terested. Drill-hall accommodatio either does not exist or is entirely ii sufficient at many centres. Existin magazine accommodation is insufficiem necessitating the temporary use of ur suitable buildings, and there is a dai .ger of serious accidents and deterion tion of valuable ammunition so lon as such conditions obtain. The pr< vision of proper cookhouses, mesi rooms, and water supply at comman camps is necessary to ensure the con fort of troops and economical adminif tra.tion of the camps.”