9

H.—l9d

Page 33. 53. Personnel, of Department, of Director of Equipment and, Ordnance Stores should be appointed by selection or examination and be carefully trained. So far as war conditions admit, the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores selects and trains the personnel for the Ordnance Corps to best advantage. Page 33. 54. The Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores has no control over the appointment of quartermaster-sergeants to units; consequently estimates and forecasts from districts are usually worthless. The Commission has apparently confused regimental appointments such as quartermasters and quartermaster-sergeants, who at no time formed part of the Ordnance Corps. They are appointed on the recommendation of districts, and are responsible for the care, custody, and accounting of equipment on issue to regiments and Groups. It would be unjustifiable centralization and interference for such appointments to be made by Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores at General Headquarters. The districts are gradually being made to realize their responsibilities in the matter of men for these appointments, and improvement is being effected. Page 33. 55. Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores not even asked whether he has m,en in his corps he can promote, or what sort of men he needs. This again appears to be based on a misconception of the evidence given by the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores in regard to the appointment of the unit quartermaster-sergeants. The Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores was not referring to the Ordnance Corps, over which he has full control. Districts cannot be expected to look on the Ordnance Corps as the sole source of administrative non-commissioned officers. Page 33. 50. Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores should have full control over all officers discharging duties in connection with his branch in camps. The Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores has always had full control over the selection and appointment of camp Ordnance Officers. Up to the present the personnel of the camp Ordnance Sections lias been provided from home-service men in a similar manner to all other sections of the camp staff. A proposal for the personnel to be provided by the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores is now under consideration. Page 3,3. 57. On account of untrained conditions of some District Representatives of the Stores Branch many instances of poor purchasing and double-banking have occurred. Such cases have occurred, but the position has greatly improved during the past twelve months by the gradual provision of a trained staff. Further trouble in this direction is not anticipated. Page 33. 58. Small items like rubber stam.ps, shelves, &c, to be obtained locally by District Staffs. This question is being dealt with, and necessary arrangements are being made to admit of local purchases of small articles required to meet unforeseen contingencies. Page 34. 59. Unnecessary expense in dealing with broken and, condemned articles in districts. If instructions are complied with, unnecessary expenditure such as that referred to should not occur, because such breakages or damages should be dealt with under certificate from the responsible officer in charge stating that " Damage has not been caused either wilfully or through the neglect of reasonable precautions." Page 34. GO. Variation in clothing and boots, or allowance in lieu, should be made, to suit difference in climate and nature of occupation. The Home Service Section is supplied with renovated clothing, which reduces cost. The manufacture of special clothing would entail the diversion of looms from the manufacture of the standard clothing for New Zealand soldiers. Variations in the New Zealand climate are not sufficient to necessitate the issue of special clothing for different localities throughout the Dominion. It may be noted that the uniform issued to the Police is of one standard throughout the Dominion. The boots issued to the New Zealand soldier are not too heavy for wear in office, and the soles need not be nailed. To manufacture special boots would entail similar difficulties of manufacture as in the case of clothing. Page 34. 01. Clothing supplied to officers should be smart and well, fitting. Clothing for officers is at present being made according to personal measurements. Page 36. 62. Clothing and equipment to be branded. Vide 139. Page 64.

2—H. 19d.