WASTE IN CAMPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1917, Page 5

WASTE IN CAMPS.

GIFT GOODS AND OTHER MATTERS. STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER.

(By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter. , Wellington, Last Night.

"It is almost impossible to avoid a certain amount of wasle in military rnmps," said the Minister for Defence. "I have examined into this question over and over again. We are now trying to adopt some new ideas of our own, which I hope will have some beneficial results. Waste that does take place is hot all loss. I deny absolutely that gift goods havo ever been sold in canteens. This charge was first made about troops in Egypt. It was fully examined there and proved to be without foundation. Gift goods are kept entirely separate, and are not used on transports. Prices charged in canteens, on shipboard and in camps are fixed, and price lists are posted for tho information of tho men. Complaint has been made that men In hospitals are charged for comforts. The position is that gifts arc distributed to men in hospitals. The men do not need anything else, but some-of the men wish to buy extras for themselves, and they are allowed to do so and the expenditure is debited against their pay, most of which has accumulated 'while they are in hospital. Parcels for spjdiors are sent forward whenever opportunity offers. Clearance was made at the end of May last. Some of the parcels may ha?e been in store for two or three months at that time, but there had been no opportunity of sending them away before. I have never shielded any officer who deserved punishment, but I do shield officers from unjustifiable attacks by men who do not know nvhat they are talking,about."