CHARGES OF WASTE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 182, 3 August 1944, Page 2

CHARGES OF WASTE

*AIR FORCE PERSONNEL INVESTIGATION REQUESTED (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, this day. "No time should be lost in starting an investigation into the allegations of waste and inefficiency in the Air Force," said Mr. Smith (National, Bay of Islands), speaking on the Finance Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr. Smith, who contended that any reduction in personnel should begin at the top, declared that many of the "heads" had the best jobs they had ever had in their lives and were very loath to lose personnel. Members of the House had found it very difficult during the past year to get any hearing for the release of second grade men who could be more profitably employed on farms. Invariably the answer was that there were men back from the Pacific and they were the men to get, but that very often was not a sensible or a complete answer. He had found himself up against a stone wall in- seeking the release of men from the Air Force. Members of the House must have been very interested to read in a weekly paper a statement by a former "white-haired boy" who was ultimately railroaded into the Air Force. He said he referred to a statement by A.C.2 C. G. Scrimgeour i from a station near Blenheim.

Mr. Smith quoted various allegations contained in the article and said that those accusations should be investigated* The writer said that he was prepared to substantiate every statement made, so that it was the duty of the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, and the Government to see that they were investigated. The Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan: There is an answer available that will satisfy the honourable gentleman. Mr. Smith said that the statements had been made a week ago, but there had been no reply. "Some of us know extravagance and waste of personnel are taking place," he concluded. "I will take the word of the Minister that there is a complete answer, but I shall be very interested to find out what it is," he concluded.