DEFENCE PURCHASES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2407, 12 March 1915, Page 7

DEFENCE PURCHASES

BUSINESS ADVISER APPOINTED IN . AUSTRALIA.

Mr. Robert WO.' Anderson, of Syclney, has been retained by the Commonwealth Defence Department to act as financial and. commercial adviser with regard to the purchase of, supplies and goods for army services. 1 In making the announcement, the Minister of Defenoe, Senator Pearce, said:—"ln view of the ( fact that the Defence Department will have to spend the huge amount of £11,000,000 by the end of June, we nave, been considering the extent of our business ability to spend it safely and to the best advantage, and we have considered it advisable to bring in a business man to supervise the purchase of goods and supplies in order tnat we may avoid any loss. I_brought the matter before the last Cabinet meeting of the Ministry, with the result that we have decided to. call in the services of Mr. Robert M'C. Anderson, of Sydney, who will make a thorough investigation, and will advise us from time to time on the purchase of supplies of goods for the Defence Department. While everything may be all right—and I have no reasoa whatever to suspect that anything! is out of order—wo think it advisable to take this step, and secure the assistance of an experienced and prominent business man in order that the interests or the Department may be safeguarded." It was inevitable that many questions would be asked, and possibly even scandal might arise after the war. His yiew was that the present was the proper time to institute a check upon the great purchasing work of the Department, and it should 'not be left until after the war to make questionings. Mr. Anderson would not in any respect be a detective, but would advise as to tho Department's system of contracts, etc. It was not a permanent appointment, but Mr. Anderson's investigations would probably occupy about a month.