DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 63, 14 March 1918, Page 4

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES. TOO MUCH WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association^ DUNEDIN, Wednesday. Before the Defence Expenditure Commission to-day Mr. Frank Mitchell, speaking from his experience as hon. secretary of the Otago s>Patriotic and General Welfare Association, before the appointment of a paid secretary, stated that spurs were bought by commercial men at 5?6 a pair, against S/0 paid by the military officials, and chaff at market prices against higher quotations to the military authorities. He suggested that all buying should be done by expert commercial men appointed by a local commercial controller. Orders, he maintained, were too much centralised in Wellington, -which tended to prices being arranged there. Wellington firms were working overtime, owing to the centralisation of orders, while if other centres got their share this might possibly be minimised. A reorganisation of the staff would cut down expenses, and distribute the work more equally. While the witness' personal experience related to the beginning of the war, he had heard of waste now going on, particularly in regard to the hospital ships.

The Sir Robert Anderson, remarked that many of the statements made by anonymous writers and in letters to the newspapers were widely apart from the facts. Some most extraordinary statements had beenmade about hospital ships. Mr. Mitchell said that he could, if requested, take Mr. P. Barr, a member of the commission, to a man who would give him information confidentially. The chairman said the Commission -would follow up the suggestion made.

Mr. Inglis "Wright eaid there was a lack of finality about the enrolling and enlistment of men. One man was medically examined three times, entailing three lots of expenses, finally classed CI, and sent to camp. If sent to England, he would probably be returned, entailing more expense.

Mr. Saul Solomon, chairman of a subcommittee of the Soldiers and Dependents' Welfare Association, expressed the opinion that through overlapping a very large sum was spent /unnecesarily. He also referred to the delay in granting pensions after soldiers were discharged, with the result that financial assistance Had to be granted. As a result of delay in the payment of wives' separation allowances probably £100,000 a year had to be paid by the patriotic societies.

Dr. Falconer, A.D.M.S., said he was now empowered to decide whether a reexamination of a reservist was necessary. This cut out a certain amount of expense.