IMPERIAL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15983, 18 August 1917, Page 2

IMPERIAL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

PRAISE FROM THE AUDITOEGISNEIvAL. (srscii.-, to "inz rmxss.") WELLINGTON, August 18. The Auditor-General Iv.Ui presented a roport to Parliament giving a brief outlino of tho arrangement under -which purchases of Imperial Government gupplies are effected, together with a programme of the audit conducted in connexion therewith. He points out that at first, when meat v.-as tho only article of produce handled, the extra work ontaiicd but littlo disarrangement of the permanent duties of the staff, but contemporaneous with the increase in the sphere of the operations of the Government Supplies Department, the work of the Audit Office has increased, and now a special branch is required to cope with an audit of considerable magnitude. The magnitude of work can be gauged by the . fact that the payments to March 31st last amounted to* £27,757,735, representing purchases and incidental expenses on behalf of the Imperial Government on account of moat to tho value of £15,800,701, cheese £2,460,103, wool £9,315.294, skins and hides £60,883, scheelite £67,450. also including payments on behalf of the local Government for butter and checse for military supplies to the extent- of £30,644 and £17,484 respectively, and payments under tho butter equalisation scheme totalling £39,463. All these accounts have been audited to March 31st, and the Auditor-General says it is pleasing to report that they are in a very satisfactory state. They have been kept on good business lines, and with eyery reasonable precaution for the prevention of fraud.' The report adds that the Audit Office examines and_ certifies to a quarterly statement or administration PTpcnPcs* for transmission to the Imperial Government. Tho small r>errenta:*e on the. turnover would indicate that the Denartment has linked economy with efficiency.