SERIOUS WASTE!

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 7

SERIOUS WASTE!

IN AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE /■ DEPARTMENT FINDINGS OF COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. (Received February 16, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The report-of the Commission which *has been enquiring into the management of the Defence Department states that enormous losses are likely to be sustained by the Commonwealth owing to the serious mismanagement of the Department. It recommends reorganisation of the whole of the business affairs of the Department, and calls for the appointment jbi a board of expert business men j to take 'full control. The policy of appointing men trained only as soldiers is severely criticised. | It is stated in the report that in 1915 the Commonwealth proposed to equip and despatch three additional divisions to the front. Although, owing to an alteration of plans, only one division was sent, supplies for three divisions continued to pour in, and accumulated to such an extent that, notwithstanding the issues since made K the ordnance stores were still greatly overstocked at the end of August, 1917, boots, jackets, greatcoats, and greatcoat material, valued at £2,000,000, wero held in stock, being £1,250,000 in excess of requirements. At a meeting of the Federal Cabinet it was decided to follow the Commission's advice, and appoint a Board of Administration, consisting of three business men.