GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND THE USUAL THING."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 620, 24 September 1909, Page 5

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND THE USUAL THING."

; The ■ following. A interesyng' Hem : appears iin.'der 'the: above lfeadih'g';in -this -week's : issue of "The •';■.;.:;..>': ■-..'•-.':'" ;■;..:" '.' : . "Tlie other, day"the ''Citizen'; had .something to ray about the prevalence of. secret commisio'ns'in ordinary. , business.; The:praotice.is an old-established.':and widespread' one, , and. ah interesting instance of -its..antiquity in other concerns '. than those , of- commerce ipuro and 'einiple has just .come to light.. About 1876 Dr. Fehthe.rston was iiv England :on-"b<)half of the New. Zealand■' Government. While there "-, he placed ft considerable.order, onbehalf";of the colony '.for steel rails required in. connection 'with the, raihtay building schemes of,theYday; After the.completion of. the transaction ho was somewhat', surprised-to receive from the contractvrs,"a cheque, for no less, than: .£SOO. Ho did'not understand this, and -requested'air- explanation; .'The reply was to the-;effect that the. sum was for'the doctor to do as ho pleased with, and'.that it was 'the usual thins- In nrrangingfcplonial-Government .contraots.' : Dr. FeaHiorstdn returned .the ohequo,. not having , any desire to participate; in 'the usual thing.' Tho' writer has .the best authority for 'this little anecdote, , andthe.only thing ho is wondering ■about is when 'this''usual ■■thing'.--in connection 'with : colonial'.. Government .• opera(ions began and when it .ended.", . \ :