NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 23 October 1917, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

COST OF.MAINTENANCE.

(RATIONS AND FORAGE.

Sir James Allen (Minister 'of Defence) has received the following memorandum regal-ding the" maintenance of New Zealand troops in France:— ' • The claim by the Imperial Government for the maintenance of Now Zealand troops is made up on a per .capita basis of 5s per man per day plus the cost of gun and howitzer ammunition. The Ss rate is made up as follows;: ■'■"..■■'•.'a.

Rations ,forage, fuel, clothing, equipment and general stores, drugs ...................... v 36 Stationery, small arms and ammunition, bombs and trench mor- i tar ammunition 0 8 Upkeep of small arms, machineguns, artillery, equipment arid material generally vehicles of all kinds ....:. 0 7 Railway and eea transport, labour establishments at forts arid afc base depots. ;..,... 0 3 Total 5 0 The guu and howitzer ammunition la made up at a daily rate per head, on a quarterly basis. The rates so far to hand are-: .s; d. ' June Quarter, 1916 ............ »2 5 September quarter, 1916 ...... 7 11 December quarter, 1916 4 9 Actual issue of stationery,' Army books, forms, etc., supplied in England to, New Zealand troops are paid .for monthly by the Now Zealand .Govern- ( ment. f Air services, works services, bridging, and other engineering materials are paid for by the Imperial Government. The High Commissioner advised by cable that, "owing to the increase in the strength of the New Zealand Forces tho Imperial Government had .given '■■■)& revised estimated liability ot .£650,000 per month from Ist April, 1917, to 30th Septembei*; 1917 (summer months) and £450,000 per month from . Ist October, 1917, to 31st March, 1918 (winter months). In addition the War Offce estimates that £130,000 per month is required for advances to pay-masters in the field and for miscellaneous charges over and above the capitation rate.