THE DEFENCE COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 126, 28 May 1918, Page 7

THE DEFENCE COMMISSION.

FORECAST OF REPORT. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The Defence Expenditure Commission's report is expected- to be published in the course of a week. It will not, I understand, contain any sensational or drastic proposals. The Commission is reported to have been greatly impressed with the energy and ability 'with which the New Zealand Defence" Administration coped with unprecedented problems of organisation caused by the war, the constantly growing extent of demands for equipment, training, staff and records. The Commission will be able to make valuable suggestions as regards decreased expenditure on the office side, particularly cabling and telegraphing. It may recommend a decreased period of training of reinforcement drafts in Xew Zealand, a propoFal which the Defence authorities are unlikely to take the responsibility for adopting. As for Colonel Macdonald's criticisms that territorial training has been ignored, the Commission is understood not to be greatly impressed with this argument. Transport j expenditure will also"fs.il to disclose any sensational shortcomings, for it has been proved that Xew Zealand has a more economical charter party in respect of the majority of its regular transports j than the English Government enjoys. The Commission will doubtlese comment on the treatment by staff officers of sug gestions by subordinates, but an offset to criticism on this subject will be complaints regarding lack of initiative by I district officers. The chief value of the j Commission appears to be in the full I inquiry it has eeeured. together with ample publicity for the evidence tendered regarding all branches of defence activities.