THE TROOPS IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16673, 18 October 1917, Page 4

THE TROOPS IN FRANCE.

XJJ.JJ j. v/j. iw -~-• ■ MAINTENANCE IN FIELD. LIABILITY TO WAR OFFICE. NOW £6,600,000 A YEAR. [BY TELEGRAPH.— roRRESFOSDF.XT. WELLINGTON. Wednesday. | Tire following statement in reference to the maintenance of tho New Zealand • troops in France was road to the House | of Representatives to-day bv Sir James Allen :-The claim bv the Imperial Gov- ■ ernment for the maintenance of New Zealand trooos is made upon a per capita bw's of 5s per man per dav. plus th« cost of mm and howitzer ammunition. The 5s rate is made upas follows : Rations, forace, fuel, cln'hin". equipment, and general stores and stationery, 3s 6d ; small arms and ammunition, bombs and trench-mortar I ammunition. 8d; nnkeep of small arms, machine puns, artillery enuipment and ma- I terial generally, and vehicles of all kinds, ' 7d ; railway and sea transport, labour . establishments at ports and at base depots, 3d : total, ss. The pun and howitzer ammunition if made up at a dm'ly rate per head on a quarterly basis. The rates so nr to hand are June quarter. 1916, 2.5 d ; September quarter, 1916, 7s lid; December quarter, 1916, 4s 9d. I .Actual issues of stationery, army books, forms, etc., supplied in England to New Zealand troops are paid for monthly by the New Zealand Government., The air services, works services, bridging and other | cntrineerin? materials are paid for by tho Imperial Government. The High Commissioner has advised by cable that, owing to the increase in tho strength of the New Zealand Forces, the Imperial Government had given a revised estimated liability of £650,000 per month, from April 1, 1917, to September 30, 1917, summer months, and £450,000 per month from Ortober 1, 1917, to March 31, 1918, winter moiths In addition, the War Office estimates that £130.000 per month is required for advances to paymasters in the field, and for miscellaneous charges over and above the capitation rate. DEFENCE EXPENDITURE. INQUIRY BY COMMISSION. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Cabinet decided to-day to set up a Commission to inquire into (he Defence expenditure. An investigation by some committee or commission has been generally demanded by members of the House this session. The personnel of the Commisi sion has not yet been chosen.