AIR FORCE BOOTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 73, 27 March 1940, Page 5

AIR FORCE BOOTS

CONTRACTS FOR REPAIRS

CRITICISM BY TRADE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. March 26.

Criticism at the manner in which recent tenders had been called for the repair of boots issued to members ot the Royal New Zealand Air Force was expressed at the annual conference of the Dominion Federation of Boot Trades' Associations, which has concluded in Auckland. Regret was felt that the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, had not availed himself of an offer of co-operation from the federation, and it was considered that in future all contracts should be called through the usual channels and with a reasonable time allowance. Explaining the reason for the federation's criticism, the general secretary, Mr. G. Shields, Wellington, said yesterday that immediately after the outbreak of war the federation offered its services in an advisory capacity to the Minister of Supply and the Ordnance Department on questions relating to the manufacture and repairing of military footwear. When tenders were called for the repairing of Air Force boots in January advantage was not taken of the offer, and the method of inviting tenders was not according to usual procedure. , . Mr. Shields said that only a few boot and shoe repairers were invited to tender for the work. These received contract forms on Thursday and they were required to have their tenders in by midday on the following Tuesday. The first intimation that officials of the federation and many likely tenderers had of the matter was when they were shown contract forms by others in the trade during the weekThe contracts, which began about a week after the closing of the tenders, were for a year, and contained terms that were difficult under war conditions, Mr. Shields added. Consideration should have been given to the possibility that the successful tenderers might have to pay increased prices for materials and labour, without any possibility . of covering themselves, or even of meeting their expenses. "As no provision has been made for, rising prices, the terms of contract may be very difficult to carry out, Mr. Shields added. In his opinion the arrangement of contracts for the repair of military boots should have been carefully considered by both sides.