DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11474, 1 March 1918, Page 4

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION.

fPer Press Association.) Christchurch, Feh. 28. Giving evidence before the Defence Expenditure Commission today, Col. Chaffey, Officer Commanding the Canterbury Military District, said the Department had grown so widely that it could not carry on economically. There was a lot of pinprickiug, and authorities to spend money were so hedged round with restrictions that one was afraid to spend any. He was absolutely in charge of the Ripa Island internment camp, and Headquarters did not interfere in any way. He was in favour of local camps for Second Division Reservists for preliminary training purposes, and one Territorial training camp in each island, in charge of. a regular staff. Every man snould spend four months for four years in camp, and the weekly “parade should have been done away with. . Captain A. R. White, ordnance officer, said the present conditions were quite satisfactory, and he could suggest nothing to make things run more smoothly. Major R. S. Matthews, A.Q.M.G., said his chief difficulty was m possessing no authority to spend money. He gave instances of delays caused through Headquarters, Wellington, holding up applications tor authorities to incur expenditure, which were vexatious and costly. He could-not account for the delays, unless it was that they were so frightfully [busy in Wellington that things had been hung up. The Chairmbn; So busy that they take-on extra work! The Commission adjourned until to-morrow.