FEDERAL DEFENCE BUNGLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 5

FEDERAL DEFENCE BUNGLES.

HUGE LOSSES IN SIGHT. STORES OVERSTOCKED, CONTROL BOARD TO BE APPOINTED. (Received 1.15 p.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. The report of the commission which inquired into the management of the Defence Department states that enormous losses were likely to be sustained by the Commonwealth owing to serious mismanagement of the Department. The Commission recommends the reorganisation of the whole business affairs of the Department, and calls for the appointment of a Board of expert business men to take full control. The report severely criticised the policy of appointing men trained only as soldiers. It states that in 1015 the Commonwealth proposed the equal dispatch of three additional divisions to the front, yet although, owing to alterations of plans, only one was sent, supplies for the whole three' divisions eontiaued to pour in, and accumulated to such an extent that, notwithstanding issues since made, ordnance stores were still greatly overstocked. At the end of August 1917, boots, jackets, greatcoats, and greatcoat material valued at two millions sterling were held in stock, being £1,250,000. in excess of requirements.

A meeting of Cabinet decided to follow the Commission's advice and appoint a Board of Administration, consisting of three busincs9 men.— (A. and. N.Z.)