MILITARY STORES.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1922, Page 5

MILITARY STORES.

CHARGES OF LOSS ANSWERED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The report of the Defence Committee, which inquired into charges made bv Colonel MacDonald during his political campaign concerning the presentation ot obsolete rifles and guns to Colonel Nichols, and the loss of stores, was laid on the table of the House to-day. The committee, after recounting the circumstances under which the rifles and mms were given to Colonel Nichols, says It is dear from the evidence that Colonel MacDonald does not charge the Minister or the Defence Department with irregularities or maladministration. As to the stores alleged by Colonel MacDonald to be missing, these had been audited bv the Government auditor and properlv written off i» accordance with the'authority of Parliament The majority of the stores referred to were 4- nn+nallv missm o ' but had been used by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and taken overseas. The commitfee is of opinion that the military anhortie" took immediate- action to mirimTse the losses, and that no >rregu“rities took place, and there is no re flection on the department or the Mmi3twith respect to father charges made > _ Cnlnnel MacDonald and reterrea the House the committee recommend 'thatf it be left to the Minister to make a statement in reply.