DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15495, 26 April 1918, Page 7

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 26. Major McCristell, Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores, in evidence before the Defence Expenditure Commission to-day, stated that the Ordnance Department had to ensure before issue was made, tiiat articles demanded were essential and authorised, and when issued it had to keep an account of them from the time issued until the time they *wcro written off. lie had no say in the appointment of his staff'. There had been no system of training and that was where trouble had arisen. He was going to have a system of inspection, hut he had not the men to do it. The creation of an efficient staff' could be done by detaching men of the N.Z.A.S,( . for duty as quarter-master sergeants in regiments, groups and convalescent hospitals. Referring to evidence given in Auckland, witness said that it the Defence steamer. Lady Roberts, at Auckland, was Snort of lifebelts, it was due to neglect at that station. There were 170 licit j on charge at that station, specially obtained for the Lady Roberts. I bat number was far in excess of normal requirements. The statement that serious defieiencies on the Lady Rol>erts were pointed out by the Marine authority, but not remedied, was a serious one. If it referred to the supply of stores from his branch, it was absolutely untrue. Where instances of delays had been brought under his notice. prompt notion had been taken. It was not permissible for officers of the Defence Department, to purchase any ordnance stores nt'u-r than clothing and equium-nt necessary tor the performance of their military duties. Through the Department nndertaiiing the repair of boots. i'l2OT had been saved in one year, The amount saved bet ween Ist .Tune, 191,. to Tth \pril, 1918, by repairing clothing was £2.2,618.