DEFENCE BUILDING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10098, 11 October 1918, Page 6

DEFENCE BUILDING

THE NEW PROJECT ANOTHER PROTEST. The proposals for altering the control of the Defence Pay and Allotment Department and the erection of a new building in consequence at n. cost of £12,000, involving also the closing of a publio street, were discussed at last night’s meeting of the Second Division League Executive. The members present scathinciv criticised the eleventh hour polity of the authorities in the matter and the following resolution was carried for forwarding to the Minister for Defence:— That in the opinion of the National Executive of the Second Division League tho proposed change to direct military control of the pay and allotment branches is not in the interests of soldiers and their dependents, as tending to the imposition of red-tape methods involving disabilities on those who have to use these departments; and that a protest be entered against tho alteration at this late stage of the war. and against the unnecessary and unwarranted expenditure of public money involved in the building proposal when so many more urgent claims are overlooked. It is understood that the “life” of the new Base Records and Pay Offices to be built at a cost of £12,000 on a site adjoining tho proeent Records Office and to encroach on Whitmore street, blocking the road except for a narrow right-of-way, is to be limited to tho period of war and the subsequent “cleaning-up” time. Critics of the scheme urge that it has come rather late and declare that it would be cheaper to continue the present practice. Some, taking a view of the next three years, say. in effect: “Why should Base Records swallow Pay? Why should not Pay swallow Base Records?” From his arrival from the South Island on Wednesday morning to his departure for Auckland at midday yesterday, the Minister for Defence was too busv to accord an interview in regard the reason for the merging of the two branches; and departmental officers, on being approached, declined to make anv statement. Any explanation, they said, must come from tho Minister.