WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 June 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE. '* THE COMMISSION’S REPORT. * WELLINGTON, June 12. ’ It is understood that the report of the War Expenditure Commission is now in the hands of the Government and that it will be made public in ttte course of a few days. Though the nature of the Commission’s findings are known only to His Exbellency the Gov. ernor and members of the Cabinet, the “intelligent anticipations” which get abroad on such occasions are assuming an unusually confident tone. It ia expected that the report, after mentioning the very great difficulties the Defence authorities had to overcome at the beginning of the war will express general approval of fhe manner in which they have got through their task. It may have special words of commendation for the foresight, industry and devotion of the Minister of Defence and his immediate associates, and it may make comparisons, entirely favourable to New Zealand between what has been accomplished here and what has been accomplished elsewhere. Probably its cemments upon, the mobilising, training and despatch of Reinforcements will be reassuring*

NOT — But it is unlikely the report yrill b© one long paean of praise. Sir Robert Anderson’s searching examination of witnesses concerning the administration of what may be called the civil side of the. Defence Department will have prepared the public for something different from that. The Chair, man of the Commission wanted to know why there was so much khaki, about offices that were manned purely by civilians with no military duties to perform; why the rank and pay and privileges of captains, majors or colonels were being thrust upoh~gentlemen following their pre-war avocations, and, above all, why a little plain business common-sense should not be employed on the business side of the Army, These things are pretty sure to be mentioned in the report and witn an emphasis that will compel attention from the authorities. This, at any rate, is the opinion of people acquainted with Sir Robert Anderson’s methods. REINFORCEMENTS. The first ballot in Class C of the Second Division of Reservists —married men with two children—was completed yesterday and the names will be published on Wednesday of next week. Ten thousand names hay© been drawn and if the average of previous ballots should be maintained these will represent between 3000 and 4000 fit men, probably sufficient with, volunteers and the young men attaining twenty years of age, who will come into the reserve automatically, to provide two Reinforcements. The camps are now filling up rapidly and with the diversion of transports to America it is possible some ■ of the men drawn in this ballot will not be required till after the expiry of the notice promised by the Minister. Sir James Allen is anxious, however, to have the successive drafts ready for despatch at the arranged time and towards this end the machinery at T.-en-tham and Featherston will be kept running at full speed.

MAIL SERVICES. A good deal of dissatisfaction is being expressed by business men at the prospect of mail services throughout the country being considerably restricted on account of the growing demands being made upon the Post Office. It is alleged that a vast amount of the additional work has arisen out of the extravagant fashion in which, the Government conducts Mts own business, loading the Post omce with, mail matter of no special value to anyone, aud that the authorities have not made the use they should have done of the labour available. Women and girls are doing excellent work in the Post Office and from this it is argued that many more members of their sex might be profitably employed there. Representations are being made to the authorities on the subject, hut probably they have come too late to even postpone the proposed restrictions.