DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16798, 14 March 1918, Page 6

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

TOO MUCH CENTRALISATION.

[BY TKLEOBArn.—rnEss association.]

DUNEDIN. Wednesday. Before the Defence Expenditure Commission to-day Mr. Frank Mitchell, speaking from his experience as hon. secretary of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare. Association, before the appointment of a paid secretary, stated that spurs were bought by commercial'men at 5s 6d a pair, against 8s 6d paid by the military officials, and chaff at market prices, against higher quotations to the military authorities. He suggested that all buying should be done by expert commercial men appointed by a local commercial controller. Orders, ho maintained, were too much centralised in Wellington, which tended to prices being arranged there. Wellington firms were working overtime, owing to the centralisation of orders, while if other centres got their share this might possibly bo minimised. A reorganisation of the stuff would cut down expenses and distribute the work more equally. While the witness's personal experience related to the beginning of the war, ho had heard of waste now going on, particularly in regard to the hospital ships Tho chairman, Sir Robert Anderson, remarked that many of the statements made by anonymous writers and in letters to the newspapers were widely apart from tho facts. Some most extraordinary statements had been made about hospital ships. Mr, Mitchell said that ho could, if requested, take Mr. P. Barr, a member of tlio commission, to a man who would give him information confidentially. The chairman said the commission would follow up the suggestion made. Mr. Ing-lia Wright said there was a lack of finality about the enrolling and enlistment of men. • One man was medically examined threo times, entailing three lots of expenses, finally classed CI, and sent to camp. If sent to England he would probably be returned, entailing more expense. Mr. Saul Solomon, chairman of a subcommittee of the Soldiers and Dependants' Welfare Association, expressed the opinion that through over-lapping a very large sum was spent unnecessarily. He also referred to tho delay in granting pensions after soldiers were discharged, with the result that financial assistance had to be granted. As a result of delay in the payment of wives' separation allowances pro. bably £100,000 a year had to be paid by tho patriotic societies. Dr, Falconer. A.D.M.S.. said he was now empowered to decide whether a reexamination of a reservist was necessary. This cut out a certain amount of expense.