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REPORT OF DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION. Letter by Mr. P. Barr, Member of Commission. Rotorua, 15th October, 1918. The Hon. Sir James Allen, X.C.8., Wellington. Dear Sir James, — Defence Expenditure Commission. 1 very keenly regret that on account of illness 1 was unable to carry out my full share of the work entrusted to the Defence Expenditure Commission by His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, and that the drafting of the report itself bad to be left to my colleagues Sir Robert Anderson and Mr. Rhodes. Now, however, that my health has been restored 1 think it right to address you briefly on the subject, and, as the commission has been surrendered to His Excellency, shall be glad if you will kindly convey to him a copy of this letter. A. perusal of what' I have now to say will, I believe, result in the report being recognized as an expression of the opinions arrived at by the three members of the Commission. I have noticed in more than one newspaper statements to the effect that 1 had been ill " during the major portion of the tour," and " debarred at an early stage of the inquiries from taking part in the proceedings." In view of the publicity given to these statements, I think it well to say that the Commission began its work on the 28th January, and, after travelling through the North and South Islands and visiting the military camps, completed the taking of evidence in Wellington on the 14th May, occupying in all a period of just over fifteen weeks. 1 ceased to take part in the proceedings on the 19th April, and was therefore absent for three weeks and a half, and, unfortunately, debarred from hearing the evidence taken during that period, and from taking my share subsequently in the preparation of the report. It will be seen, however, that I was an active member of the Commission during the whole of its travels, and heard the bulk of the evidence. Mr. Rhodes has assured me also that when they were engaged in the compilation of the report my colleagues constantly kept in view what they understood, from our numerous conferences, would have been my opinion on the various points as they came under consideration. As soon as health permitted I obtained a copy of the report, read and considered it very carefully, and during the past fortnight have had the opportunity in Auckland of conferring with Mr. Rhodes as to all that was done after- I had to discontinue my share of the work. I have also had laid before me the whole of the evidence then taken, and a file of the comments made by the Press of the Dominion after the publication of the report. It now affords me considerable satisfaction to be able to inform you that 1 find myself in general agreement with the contents of the report, and to express my belief that, had I been present when it was being compiled, there would have been no substantial difference in any of the recommendations made. As a matter of fact, many of the matters dealt with had been frequently discussed before I took ill, and the common understandings arrived at were in substance the conclusions set forth in tho report. It is unnecessary that I should refer in detail to the matters dealt with under various headings, and 1 shall content myself with brief comments as to a few points. The evidence taken was very voluminous, but the Commissioners were inclined to regret that more advantage was not taken of the opportunity to submit information as to their experience of the Department by those within its ranks, but more particularly by citizens outside who were brought into touch with it in the course of their business. We were, of course, aware that there had been rather widespread criticism of the Department, both public and private. The proceedings of the Commission were well advertised and reported, and officers and men of the service were assured by the General Officer Commanding in repeated circulars that they were free to offer whatever evidence they desired without any fear of consequences following. In view of these three facts evidence might have been expected from some who did not come forward. You are aware, however, that we interviewed, or received evidence from, practically every officer of the Department holding any command or position of importance. 1 desire now to endorse and emphasize my agreement with the conclusions and recommendations made in the report regarding — (L) The appointment of a General Officer Commanding in charge of Administration. (2.) The removal of anomalies existing between the pay and allowances of officers in camps and those at Headquarters or in districts, and arising from the system of distinguishing between Home Service men engaged in practically the same class of clerical or other work, by paying those in uniform according to rank, without any relation to the value of the services rendered. (8.) The reduction of the period of training in New Zealand.