I have referred before now to the question of waste
in the Army, with special reference to petrol. Here are some solid facts that seem worth attention. At a police-court in one of the Home Counties last week a Canadian soldier was fined £20 on a charge of stealing petrol and various civilians fined for receiving. The civilians had been obtaining stolen Army petrol from the soldier in question. On one occasion 5s. was paid for five gallons, on another Li 6s. for 26 gallons. The rate was therefore is. a gallon, against the normal price of 2s. od. The most significant statement made in court is reported as follows: " Pte. X.Y.Z., a Canadian soldier, gave evidence regarding the petrol-supply arrangements for his regiment. He said there was no check on the petrol-store, and no record was kept."
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