THE DAILY WAR BILL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9794, 18 October 1917, Page 5

THE DAILY WAR BILL

INTERESTING STATEMENT MAINTENANCE OF NEW ZEALAND TROOPS IN FRANCE. An interesting statement was made bv the Defence Minister (Sir James Allen) in the House of Representatives ■yesterday in regard to the maintenance of Now Zealand troops in France. The claim made bv tho Imperial Government in tliis respect, said Sir James, is made 'up on a per capita basis of 5s per man per day plus tho cost of gun and howitzer ammunition. Tho 5s rate is made up as follows; — Rations, forage, fuel, clothing equipment and general stores, drugs and stationery 3s (id. Small arms and ammunition, bombs and trench, mortar ammunition Bd. Upkeep of small arms, machine-guns, artillery equipment and matcrial_ generally, and vehicles of all kinds 7d. Railway and sea transport, labour establishments at ports and base depots 3d.

Total ss. The gun and howitzer ammunition is made up at a daily rate per head on a quarterly basis. The rates so far to hand are;— _ Juno quarter, 1916, 2s od. September quarter, 1916, 7s lid. December quarter, 1916,_ 4s 9d. Actual issues of artillery, army hooks, forms etc., supplied in England to New Zealand troops are pud for monthly by the New Zealand Government. . . Air services, works services, bridging and other engineering materials arc paid for by the Imperial Government. The High Commissioner advised by cable that owing teethe increase in the strength, of tho New Zealand forces tho Imperial Government had given a revised estimated liability of £650,000 per month from April Ist, 1917, to, September 30th, 1917 (summer months) and £450,000 per month from October Ist, 1917, till March 31st, 1918 (winter months). In addition the War Office estimates that £130,000 per month is required for advances to paymasters in the field and for miscellaneous charges over and above the capitation rate. . . Sir James stated ho was giving the above information at tho request of Mr J. Payne, member for Grey Lynn.