DEFENCE INQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4817, 14 March 1918, Page 5

DEFENCE INQUIRY.

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Press Association Telegram. DUNEDIN, March 13. Before the Defence Expenditure Commission to-day, Frank Mitchell, speaking from his experience as hon. secretary of tlie Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association, before the appointment of a paid secretary, gave evidence that spurs were bought by commercial men at 5s 6di a pair, against 8s 6d paid by the military, and chaff at the market price against a higher quotation to the , military authorities. He suggested that buying should be by expert commercial men, appointed by a local commercial controller. Orders were too much centralised in Wellington, which tended to prices being arranged there. Wellington I firms were working overtime rates i owing to the centralisation of ordI ers, and if other centres got their share R was possible this might be j minimised. Reorganisation of .staff i would cut down the expense and distribute the work. While witness’s personal experience related to the beginning of the war, he had heard of waste now going on, particularly in regard to the hospital ships. 'The chairman remarked that many statements made by anonymous writers and in letters to the newspapers were widely apart from the facts. Some most- extraordinary statements iiad been made about hospital ships. Air. Alitchell said that he could, if requested, take Air, Barr to a man who would give him information confidentially. The chairman said the Commission would follow up the suggestion made. Captain AlcGuigan said lie considered tlie rules and regulations should be more elastic. , Colonel Nichals said that if a Group Commander acted as military representative before Military Service Boards his action would be in conflict with the policy of the Government, which was to have an outsider who could not be influenced by personal considerations. Catain Inglis Wright expressed the opinion that there was a. lack of finality about the enlistment and enrolling of men. One man was medically examined three times, entailing three lots of expenses, ancl was finally classed as Cl and sent to camp. If sent Home, he would probably he returned, entailing more expense. Witness considered that a" saving could be effected in stationery. Captain Free, military representative on the Military Service Board, said some Group Commanders might fill the position of military representative. Air Saul Solomon, chairman of tlie sub-committee of the Soldiers’ and Dependants’ AVelfare Association, expressed the opinion that through dou-ble-banking very large sums were spent, which could be. saved. On discharge, soldiers received two suits of uniform and 30s towards civilian clothes. Representations had been made to the Alinister that two suits of uniform were unnecessary, but nothing had been done so far. Only the previous day, over £IOO was voted’ for civilian clothes for over 30 soldiers, tie thought £SOOO a year , was being spent in Dunedin on this j matter and probably £50,000 for New Zealand. Air Solomon also referred to delay in granting pensions after soldiers were discharged, with the result that financial' assistance had to be granted. As a result of delay in payment of a wife’s separation allowance probably £IOO,OOO a year had to be paid by the patriotic societies. _. , Dr Falconer, assistant Director ot Medical Services, said he was now empowered to decide whether the reexamination of a reservist was necessary. This cut out a certain amount of expense. -