SALES OF ARMY STORES

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28089, 3 October 1956, Page 14

SALES OF ARMY STORES

Allegation By Miss Howard “SOMEBODY IS MAKING A LOT OF MONEY” (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 2. Unwrapped dinner sets and army overcoats for £1 were being sold at Christchurch auction rooms while the armed services were seeking more funds for fresh supplies of these goods, said Miss M. B. Howard (Opposition. Sydenham) in the House of Representatives this evening. The Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald) expressed surprise at the claim, and undertook to have it investigated if more information was produced. Miss Howard was discussing an item for uniforms in the vote on the Estimates for the Army Department. The goods were being sold cheaply, and somebody was making a lot of money out of defence stores, said Miss Howard. Brand new binoculars from the Army had also been sold for £l2 10s. The dinner sets came from the Air Force.

Mr Macdonald said the charge was a serious one. The Stores Control Board had a good system of control. Miss Howard said she would attend the next auction to collect further information.

ACQUISITION OF SHEEP RUNS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 2. Mr H. L. J. May (Opposition. Onslow) gave notice in the House of Representatives today of his intention to ask the Minister of Lands (Mr E. B. Corbett) whether two sheep runs known as “The Brothers” and “Glenaid” had been taken over by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, and whether the act concerning land aggregation had been complied with.