PUBLIC TENDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 3

PUBLIC TENDERS.

OBJECTION TO SECRECY,^ MAJST BEQUESTS IGJTOBEI^ BUSINESS ME>TS PROTEST. , : - Furtlier objection -was raised by £S|j council of the Auckland Chamber o| Commerce at its meeting this mornmaj to the policy of the Stores Control Board of the Government in preserving secrecy in regard, to public tendering. The chairman of the board, the Eoa, W. B. Taverner, wrote acknowledging information forwarded t<3 him by the chamber relative to the attitude of the Public Works Department in Canada id giving publicity to public tenders. Minister added that it had been fre* quently potnted ont to the chamber thaS the names of successful tenderers were-i and always had been, available to perl sons interested. In the majority of prices were disclosed, but the boanf reserved the right to treat them confidentially. A number of tenderers stipisi lated that their prices were confidential and gave reasons for so qualifying theii! tenders. The chairman. Mr. 31. Stewart, sai<J he would like to know if any of thosd 7y-!io had made inquiries about tender! had received satisfaction. Mr. W. A. Boucher: We have made inquiries, but we have not got faction. If the chambers action was backed by members, then the chamber could foreg the issue bj asking members not tdj tender tinder present conditions. Mr. Stewart: I don't think it advisable to suggest that they should not tender, Mr. A. G. Lunn said it might be iri the public interest for the Government to get the best prices. Its policy of secrecy must lay it open to suspicion afc times. The reason the board did nofr" disclose prices was that there were •combinations in trade. The chambef should pursue ,the matter and ask the board to give it further consideration in the interests of good trading. "We cannot be held tip as a !of; of fools," said Mr. Boucher, in protesting that the chamber had been making requests to the board without results for two years. "I feel "we should take more drastic steps in the matter if it is possible to do so," he said. "Request; after request does not get ns anywhere.^ Mr. Stewart: I quite agree with, whafi you say, but the question is liow best to deal with the matter and get soma result. It was decided to ask the Governmeaf to withdraw its policy of secrecy.