New Zealand.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 82, 10 April 1915, Page 5

New Zealand.

GIFTS TO TROOPERS AND ALLEGED CANTEEN SCANDAL. Per Press Association. Wellington, April 9. “There is no foundation for the rumours and insinuations that gift stuff is being improperly sold in the canteens or that regiments are not getting what profits they should,” says General Godley, in a letter dated February 28, addressed to the Minister of Defence. General Godley encloses a report on the supject from Major Hall, canteen supervisor, who states the position clearly with regard to the gift goods, and asks for an inquiry into the allegations that have been made concerning his integrity. “Many useful gifts, consisting principally of tobacco, cigarettes, reading matter and small parcels of woollen underwear, are coming to hand,” adds General Godley. “These gifts are carefully distributed to the troops, by whom they are much appreciated. I have instituted a complete system of of recording the receipt and issue of all goods, and the receipts of the repre. seutatives of the various units are invariably obtained for the gifts issued to them for distribution. We are, however, faced with one difiiculity, in that the men frequently barter gift tobacco etc., for other articles with camp tract, ers by whom they are retailed to others, giving rise to a suspicion that gifts are being sold instead of being distributed. 1 am considering the fens, ibility o'f stopping this traffic altogether. but you will realise how difficult it is to prevent it.”