THE CANTEENS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 115, 8 October 1914, Page 8

THE CANTEENS.

NEW ARKIWTOiBMHNTS. By ielegrapli.—'Per Press Association. Wellington, laat Night. In the House of Representatives ton.ght the tAliniw-tcr of Defence made a statement with regard to the troopship canteens. 110 said arrangements! had luiade here in a hurry, and he outlined the agreement entered into by the commanders and aavcral firms for managing the canteens, and said the only thing th e Defence Department had to do with the matter was to fix prices, which were agreed to. They were tha ordinary retail Wellington prices. He admitted that there was some reason for complaint regarding the price of tobacco, as it had gone on the ships, without paying duty. Tha General had said that it was not. wise to Bell cigarettes on iward ships, (both from a standpoint of danger and injury to health. With regard to five ships, Messrs Levin and Co. were willing to hand over all stores to the (joveriunimt at wholesale price to the retailer without duty. Tlie (government had arranged to take over the whole of tho canteens, together with the responsibilities of Levin and Co. anil other firms. The canteens would be. run as regimental concerns with officers in eliargo. The profits would go to the regimental fund, and be devoted to destitute and wounded soldiers.

He ipoiuted out that in giving up the canteens tlia commanders had lost their share of the profits. Therefore he proposed to pay them f25 each. ■Levin and Co. bad arranged to send Major Mall -to look after tho canteens upon the five ships with which they wore connected, and the Government had arranged to retain his services. They were also retaining the serrieofi of the storekeepers. Briefly,.thft total cost to the country of taking over the canteens would be about £150), Including salaries. n

(Mr. .Russell expressed great gatisfa: uon with the arrangement. 1