DEFENCE FORCES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1930, Page 7

DEFENCE FORCES

NEAV CIA 7 IL HEAD

CONTROL OF FINANCE,

WELLINGTON Oct. 20,

The appointment of an Under-Sec-retary for Defence from among the ranks of the Public iService" was announced by tho Acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, when the Finance Bill was introduced in the House late to-night. Although the name of the new official was not divulged, in spite off the insistent requests of members, it was stated that he would control the administrative aspect of the defence forces, apart from the purely professional or. ganisation of the Department, which would continue to be in the hands of the present military head. The reorganisation is intended among other things to bring about closer co-ordi-n ( ion of the various arms of the service. STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

In reply to a question by the Leader of the'Opposition, the R.t. Hon. J. G. Coates, the Minister for Defence, the Hon. J. G. IC'obbe, made a statement upon the proposal, at the sug-

gestion of Mr Ransom. Mr Cobbe *aid the intention was to appoint an Under-Secretary who would Ibe a civil member of the Public Service. The scheme would follow the lines of that adopted in England after the war. The n'ew officer would be responsible to the Minister for Defence for the carrying out of civil and financial con-* trnl, as distinct from the purely professional control of the forces. He would undertake the compilation of (Parliamentary estimates, and he would have control of revenue and expenditure. Ho would also have the control of the civil staff of the Defence Department, and all matters pertaining to domestic economy. The General Officer Commanding would be responsible to the Minister for the technical organisation of the forces, and he would report and advise on matters of military policy, training, and equipment. “FOR BETTER CO-ORDINATION.”

The proposal would involve the appointment of a permanent civil officer of wide administrative experience. His work, would make for the closer co-ordination of : tho various arms of the forces, and ■ the elimination of waste and overlapping. He would bring about economies so necessary to keep the Departments expenditure within the vote allocated by. Parliament. It was not proposed, to add to the personnel of the Public Service staff, but to make available the services of an officer carrying out duties at -present in another Department. The Minister added that he was not in a position to state that night who the new officer would (be. The appointment had not actually been made, but the officer in view was a man of the highest standing,