SOLDIERS' GEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1920, Page 5

SOLDIERS' GEAR.

■ ALLEGATIONS REFUTED. By faloimph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Niglit. The recent allegations of wanton destruction of serviceable soldiers' gear by the Defence Department were referred to l)y the Hon. J. G. Coates, Acting-Minis-ter of Defence, in a Press interview. The Minister said he had satisfied himself that due care was exercised by officials in the disposal of clothes. "When newspaper reports about wilful waste 1 'being perpetrated by Defence officials in getting rid of soldiers' clothes were shown ; mt," continued Mr. Coates, "I at once made a personal inspection of this branch of the department. I wanted to see jny- ' self what was being done with the clothes, and to satisfy myself that the disposal of garments was not going on on wasteful and extravagant lines, as suggested. I went thoroughly into the classification of clothe 3. I saw and examined garments which were put aside as fit for renovation and those considered unfit and being cut up for rag merchants. From my inspection I am convinced that wanton destruction ia not going on. The system being followed, in my opinion, is satisfactory, and that the elaborate checking which takes place does not permit any garment being condemned that could be cleaned up, disinfected, and rea paired for use again."