CHARGE AGAINST SHIPPING COMPANIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1012, 2 November 1917, Page 3

CHARGE AGAINST SHIPPING COMPANIES.

(Peb Phkpb A.PROCUTION.I WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. ' The Minister for, Defence (Sir .'lames Allen) wns asked in trTe House of Representatives by r Okey (Taranaki) recently whether bis attention had been directed to statements in circulation in Wellington to the effect that in certain Government Departments, where groceries were purchased in wholesale Quantities for distribution on co-opera-tive lines, the same were distributed to the- imrchascrs by Government servants in Government ordnance vans during ordinary working hours? If the rumours proved untrue, would he officially exonerate departmental officers from such unjust charges? The Hon. Sir das. Allen replied; "Members of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps established a canteen in accordance with iho King's regulations, and purchased goods at- wholesale nriccs. Those poods n're resold to members of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps at no less or cost to ill" Government. Two men attached to Hip corps are "ranted one day's leave without pay each fortnight, for the purnose of dealing with the •i-oods purchased. and the men are paid for the 'lav's work out of the canteen funds: further, the two men are compelled to pull up their back work in the evenincs for which thov receive no ovtra remuneration in the wav of overtime. The goods are not sent to the men's homes in Government vans, but, a public currier in town is engaged to deliver them, and the cost of such dolivory is defrayed out' of canteen funds."