MAINTENANCE OF OUR TROOPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1917, Page 2

MAINTENANCE OF OUR TROOPS.

IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT'S CLAIM. By Wire.—Our Parliamentary Reporter. Wellington, Oct. 17. A memorandum that was placed before the House to-day by Sir James Allen states that the claim by the Imperial Gor vernmenfc for the maintenance of New Zealand troops in Trance and Egypt is made lip on a per capita basis of 5s per man per day, plus the cost of gun and howitzer ammunition used. Rations, forage, fuel, clothing, equipments, drugs and stationery account for 3s Gd per man daily; small arms and ammunition bombs and' trench mortar ammunition for 8d 'per. man;.,the upkeep' of arms, artillery, material and vehicles 7d per man; transmrt and labor establishments 3d per •an. The gun and howitzer ammuniion is reckoned at a daily rate per head ;i a quarterly basis. The rates so far <> hand are as follows: June quarter, 'ftlG, 2s !sd : September quarter, lfllfl, 7s lid; December quarter, 1910, 4s od, This year's rates will be higher. The air : services, works services, bridges and engineering materials are paid for by the Imperial Government. The High Commissioner advised by cable that owin» to the increase in the strength of the New Zealand forces, the Imperial Government had given a revised estimate of the liability of £G50,000 per month, from April 1, IM7, to September 30,1017 (summer months), and £450,000 inn- month from October 1, 1917 to March 31, 1918 (winter months). The War Office 'estimates in addition that £130,000 per month is required for advance to paymasters in the field and for miscellaneous charges over and above the ,per capita rate.