TENDERS FOR GOVERNMENT STORES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18185, 23 September 1924, Page 9

TENDERS FOR GOVERNMENT STORES.

QUESTION AND PROMPT ANSWER. " WELLINGTON, September 22. M? T. K» Sidey (Punodin South) gavo Wtm m th© Seßse of Representatives to-night to aelt th& Minister in qhargo of -tht Government Stores Department how it was, that wheai tenders were advertised for 3 both, -the names of £he> successful tenderers and the prices, were roada public, but when tenders were invited without advertising the names only, not the prices, were published? Could not the Mnir ister ho asked, treat both cases alike? The Hon J. G. Coates said that he could easily explain #• Take e or " dinary supplies *> the Montai Hospital* and tho Railway Departacents, The Government Ston* Department had a te*\ of ordinary suppliers, and it might bo the monthly or the three-montflly requirements that were asked for. These, tenderers submitted their prices and they did so ontheUnderstanding that the prices would not be made known If the price were made pubho, then thosa tenderiim r _. the other member? P? their Association, so that SS SSirtment would get tho ordinary standard prioa submitted, which was'a XfiJX. different pnae from that s«bnuW%> ordinary commema concerns such *s restaurants, hotels, or otfcer concern* of that description Popaftment .made known the Sir»..»T of baps, sweets, or other Irtiobis in daily use, it would not get anything like the quotations w got at Sent It now got cuts on tne orSfnS prices. and the Government £3nUP the attitude that it was entitled te as good prices, if not better prices, than any other concern, and it it made the prices public,. it. would not have a chance of getting these tenderers or suppliers to come into oompetition with one another. It was true that they did come into competition, and Wry severe competition, when the price was not made known. Tho Government wanted to buy m tne vary best market.