MEAT FOR THE ARMY.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 49, 27 February 1924, Page 5

MEAT FOR THE ARMY.

I CONTRACTS TO FOREIGNERS. THE QUESTION OF PEICE. j LONDON, February 20. 1 The Australian ami New Zealand I'ress | Association learns that the War Otliee I has given a contract for £50,000 worth of canned meat to Argentina. The "Daily Express" says the War Ollice. has .set a bad example in banding over the contract lor canned meat to a foreign linn. The explanation that the liritisli tenders aro outside the margin allowed to the department is not comforting. Thi' action of the War Otliee in depriving Australia of orders which should be kept within the Empire, fol- j lows similar action by South Africa in placing orders for vails with German. | French and Belgian linns. The Imperial j Conferences might at least establish a better spirit of give and take in nil parts of the Empire. The immediate economy achieved will be purchased I dearly when wages and prolits are sorely j needed within the Empire. Issues of ! this kind should lie outside the narrow I creed of academic economics. An official of the War Office, interviewed by the "Daily Express," refused to give the difference in prices quoted, but said it was too great, and the contract had to be given to a foreign tlrm. Nothing more could be done, unless the British Government decided lo give preference to tenders from the Dominions and the colonies irrespective of price. j Mr. Hassan, repre-entin" the Australian Meat Council, said the saving to the Treasury was not large. He added that, the Australian Governments could have made considerable saving by placing <»ngiiieering contracts with foreign countries, but gave British industries preference without hesitation. If other Australian tenders were treated in the way the War Ofli.c had treated the tender for canned meats, Australia must reconsider her policy, and British trade might sutler serious losses.—(A. and N.Z.) j