WIRE ROPE ORDER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1935, Page 11

WIRE ROPE ORDER.

GERMAN TENDER.

HARBOUR BOARD ACCEPTS

MEMBERS' DIVIDED OPINIONS. The Auckland Harbour Board, after a long discussion yesterday, decided to accept a tender from a German firm for the supply of wire rope. The German firm's tender was £599, whereas the tenders from 16 British firms were each £715.

A report from the purchasing and stores committee stated that 13 firms were members of the Federation of Wire Rope Manufacturers. The other tender, through John Burns and Company, was for rope made by Felten and Guilleaume, of Germany. The board's action in rejecting all tenders submitted on April 16 last, and calling fresh tenders with the British preference clause deleted, had been entirely justified, as all members of the British federation had reduced their tendered prices by approximately 16 per cent, but even with the reduction the board would save £115 by purchasing the Continental ropes, and the Government would receive £67 extra in duty.

Getting a Better Deal. Mr. R. T. Reid said that in accepting the German tender they would be taking goods in return for that value of NewZealand produce. They were not only selling their produce, but saving a big sum by having fresh tenders. By rejecting the first tenders they were now getting a better deal.

The Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C., said that they should also take into consideration the conditions under which goods were manufactured. There had been certain thrhgs happening in Germany of late. He was an officer of a trades union, and at present in Germany men in the same position were in gaol. Other countries had raised a protest against what was going on in Germany, and he did not think New Zealand should trade with a country that was treating people as Germany was doing.

The chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe This is not a political matter.

Mr. Bloodworth said that the Auckland Harbour Board was one of the largest public bodies in New Zealand and he raised his protest in the only way he could.

Importance of Reciprocity. Mr. W. A. Bishop said that New Zealand expected Britain to take New Zealand products, and Britain was practically New Zealand's only market. A delegation had just been Home to try to improve the markets, and it was now proposed to turn down British tenders on the ground that £115 would be saved, and that New Zealand goods would be taken as payment. He pointed out the high standard of British goods.

Mr. A. S. Sutherland said that with the delegation hardly home yet from Britain they were talking about accepting a tender for German rope. He considered that they should stick to the British 'article.

The chairman said that it had always been the policy of the board to support British manufactures, but the board was up against a different situation. Faced with a monopoly, the board had to look for other markets. They had always given British preference, but now they had to go outside. The German firm was renowned for the quality of its ropes. The decision of the committee had been made unanimously. Mr. H. Luke said that he did not like to go back on the finding of the committee, but if it had been his own money it would have been used for the purchase of British goods. British Tenders Identical. Mr. M. H. Wynyard: The British tenders are all the same.

The chairman: "Yes, identical." He added that the board had to consider saving money whenever that was possible.

Mr. E. J. Phelan said that the board was a commercial concern and should buy in the best market, but if all things were equal they should give British pre ference. The thing could be carried to extremes. New Zealand had been practically on "its hands and knees" asking Britain to take the Dominion's products. The board should save all that it could to provide for those on the bread and butter line.

Mr. J. B. Donald said that the British people were buying a lot of foreign goods. His experience of Government work was that if a tender was not open New Zealanders were "squeezed." He claimed that he was as patriotic as any other, but he did not believe in "cutting off his nose to spite his face."

Mr. W. B. Darlow said it would be grossly unfair, after calling for tendere, and finding all the requirements had been met, to reject the lowest tender for one that was higher. Voices: Hear, hear. Mr. H. Turner said that the board did not get a fair run in the first place. Mr. M. H. Wynyard said that th British tenderers had only themselv to blame for the preeent position. An amendment, calling for the reje tion of the German firm's tender, wn lost, and the motion to accept it wa carried.