A CORRECTION AND SOME REMARKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8362, 24 February 1913, Page 11

A CORRECTION AND SOME REMARKS

(To the Editor “N.Z. Times,”) Six, —Having made, further inquiries; I find that Major-General Godley was accompanied by ono aide-de-camp and one body servant on his recent visit to Australia- (not two officers and a body servant as indicated in my letter of Friday last). I hasten to make the correction. It seems, however, that whenever the Major-General travels about New Zealand ho is usually accompanied by one or two aide-de-camps for whom special provision is made on trains and steamers. There would be no special reason, to cavil at these details were it not indicative of general extravagance in our administrative methods. Many of the great military leaders of ' history were, noted for the extreme simplicity of their habits. In a modest democracy such os ours '‘efficiency” and not “swagger” should be the watchword. * X shall make an endeavour, when Parliament meets, to get a return prepared showing precisely tho salaries, travelling expenses, house allowances, and general -perquisites of the officers in the higher branches of the defence service.* At present the information is so carefully scattered over the departmental returns that it is quite impossible to come at it. The need for reform will, I think, be abundantly exemplified.—l am, etc., , ' PIERCE C. FREETH. Wellington,. February 22nd.