DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1918, Page 5

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION.

SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS*' By Telegraph.—Press Association. Uunedin, March 13, Before the Defence Expenditure Com j mission to-day, Frank Mitchell, speaking from his experience us honorary secretary of ; the Otagn Patriotic and General We'farp Association, said tliat spur# were bAught by commercial men, at Ga 6d per pair, agai-.nt hg Od paid by the military ; and chaff at market price, against a higher quotation to the military authorises. He suggested that the buying should bo done by expert eominprciftl men, appointed by a local commercial controller. Orders were to much centralised in Wellington, which tended to prices being arranged there. Wellington firms were working at overtime rates,, owing to the centralisation of orders, and if other centres got their share, possibly this might be minimised. A reorganisation of the stall' would cut down expenses find distribute tl.e work. While witness's personal experience xelated to the beginning of the war, lie had heard of the waste now going on, particularly in regard to hospital ships. The chairman remarked that many of the statements made by anonymous writers, and in letters to the newspapers, were widely apart from the facts, some most extraordinary statements having been made about hospital ships. Mitchell said that lie eould, if requested, take Mr. Barn to a man who would give him information confidentially. The chairman said the commission would follow up the suggestion made.

DUNEDIN SITTINGS. WHERE MONEY CAN BE SAVED.

Dunedin, Last Nighc. At the Defence Expenditure Commission, Captain McGuigan considered that the rules and regulations should ba more elastic. '

Colonel Nichols said if the group commander acted as a military representative before the Military Service Boards, > the action would be in conflict with the policy of the Government, which wag to have nn outsider who was not to be influenced by personal considerations.

Mr. Ingiis Wright expressed the opinion that there ws a lack of finality about the enrolling and enlistment of men, One man was medically examined three times, entailing three lots of expenses, and was finally classed CI and sent into camp. If sent Homo lio yould probably be returned, entailing more expense. Witness considered a saving could be effected in stationery. Captain ~'ree, military representative on the Military Service Board, Baid Home group commanders might fill the position of military representative. Mr. Saul Solomon, chairman of ft sub-« committee of the Soldiers' and Dependents' Welfare Association, expressed the ' opinion that through double-bonking ft i very large sum was spent which could be saved. On discharge a soldier receirod ; two suits of uniform and 30s towards civilian clothes. Representations were made to the Minister that two suits of uniform were unnecessary, but nothing was done so far. Only the previous day over £IOO was voted for civilian clothes for over 30 soldiers. He thought £6OOO per year wan being spent in Dunedin on this matter, and probably £50,000 for New Zealand. Mr. Solomon also referred to the delay in granting pensions after soldiers had been discharged, with the result tinu financial assistance had to be' granted. As a result of the delay, tile payment of wife's separation allowance ■ would probably mean the payment of ' £IOO,OOO per year by patriotic societies.Dr. Falconer, Assistant Director of Med'cal Services, said lie was now enspowered to decide whether ve-examina-i tion of a reservist was necessary. TM|» . cut out a certain amount of expense* >,