PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14715, 24 December 1909, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

NOTES FROM THE PRESS GALLERY. (From Our. Own Com'.esi'oxdkt.) WELLINGTON, December 23. Ml-EN'CE REPOHT. Rather in'.;: in the (lay the report on the Defence Forces of New Zealand (dated about 10 month.; ago) lias just been laid on tho tab!i>. The following was the strength of the force in February last:—Headquarters. 15: district staffs, 55; permanent force, 26G: Garrison Artillcrv Volunteers, Ifill; Field Artillery, 382;" Fiekl -Engineers, 273: Mounted Rides. 3759: Inquiry. 6100; active list, -178; medical ofi'ieers (attached), 114; medical ollicers innaUached). 4!); held ambulances, 209; veterinary ollicers, 11; reserve Volunteer corps, 242: Defence Cadets, 3560; defence rillo dubs, 3697: garrison bands, lib; battalion bands. 350:—total, 20.428' As a largo number of Volunteer corps have persistently failed lo produce Uie whole of liieir arms at the annual inspection of armourers, orders were issued that all rill-'-, n-H produced would be charged against capitation. This had the desired eiToc'. .-rd a huge mi'vlie" of, the rilhs have since been forwarded for 'nspection. As regards the small arms, the resoi'v is being steadily increased. Tiic sum voted last year by Parliament out of the Consolidated Fund for defence services was £217,637, of which amount- £195,685 was expended during the year. The Inspcctoyirciicral. in his report, says the Permanent Force is in a most satisfactory condition. The Inspeckir-g-mera! is very condemnatory in his report on the training of odieors of the Field Force. The lack- of training of the Field Force is also emphasised. ' AN EXPENSIVE COMMISSION. A return was submitted to-day, at Mr Ma.ssey s request, showing the cost of tho Native Land Commission. The total cost was £9342. The amounts paid to each member were as follow:—Sir Robert Stout: Honorarium, £3076; travelling allowance. £935: travelling expenses, £9;— total, f/,019: Hon. A. T. Ngaln: Honorarium, .-CMS9; travelling allowance, £391; travelling expenses, £91;— total, £1914.