Revolvers “Export Only”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31881, 8 January 1969, Page 20

Revolvers “Export Only”

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Jan. 7.

The Government Stores Board expects considerable interest from international arms dealers in 1099 surplus army revolvers for which it is at present seeking bids.

The revolvers, Smith and Wesson .38 calibre models with sin barrels, are for export only. Tenderers will be required to nominate the country to which it is proposed to export them, and successful bidders will have to give a written undertaking that they will not be sold in New Zealand.

The Stores Board has reserved the right to supervise

the dispatch of the revolvers from New Zealand or to appoint an agent to do so. A spokesman for the board said yesterday that his agency was not concerned with the ultimate destination —or use—of the weapons. Through transhipment, they could end up in Nigeria, South America or Sicily. Two possible destinations, however, are prescribed— South Africa or the United States. The export of arms from New Zealand to South Africa has been forbidden for several years, as part of a programme of international sanctions. Because the revolvers were originally supplied to the ,New Zealand Government during World War II under American “lend-lease" arrangements, their reimport into the United States is prohibited.

Mailing List , Mr L. S. Leask, assistantcontroller for the board, said yesterday that invitations to tender, and general and special conditions of the sale, had been sent to a long list of

private arms dealers abroad, kept on a special mailing list by the board. He expected Inquiries from dealers in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, Europe and elsewhere. “They could come from anywhere in the world at all,” said Mr Leask.

There was nothing to prevent an American arms dealer submitting a bid—provided he did not ship the weapons from New Zealand to the United States. At present held at Army ordinance depots at Ngaruawahia, Linton and Trentham military camps, the revolvers have all been used. Collectively, the revolvers weigh more than a ton. They are packed 25 to a chest, each of which weighs 681 b. Tenders will close on January 21.