DEFENCE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1918, Page 2

DEFENCE COMMISSION.

ORDNANCE AND STORES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 26. Before the Defence Expenditure Coinmission today, Major M'Cristell, Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores, gave evidence. He stated that the Ordnance Department had to ensure before an issue was made that the articles demanded were essential and authorised, and when issued it had to kuep an account of them from the ttme they were issued until the time they were written off. He had no say in the appointmen of his staJT. There had been no system of training; that was where trouMe had arisen. He was going to have a system of inspection, but lie had not tl«> men to do it. The creation of an efficient stall could be done by detaching men of the'N.ZAO.C" for duty as quartermaster-sergeants in regimental groups and convalescent hospitals. Referring to the evidence given in Auckland, witness said if the Defence steamer Lady Roberts, of Auckland, was short of lifebelts it was due to neglect at that station. There were 170 belts on charge at the station specially obtained for the Lady Roberts. That number was far in excess of normal requirements. The statement that serious deficiencies on the Lady Roberts were pointed out by the Marine authority, but not remedied. was a serious one. If it referred to the supply of stores from his (branch, it was a.bsolutelv nntrue. Where instances of delavs in his office jhad been brought under his notice prompt action had been taken. ! It was not permissible for officers of the Defence Department to purchase anv ordnance stores other than the clothing and equipment necessary for the performance of their military duties Through the Department undertaking the repairs of boots. £l2fi4 had been between June 1. IS!7. and April &. saved in one year. The amount, saved between .Tune 1, 1917, and April 4, 1018, by repairing clothinsr was £23.018.