MILITARY SUPPLIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17661, 13 December 1917, Page 4

MILITARY SUPPLIES.

SOME BIG FIGURES.

NO COMPETITION FOR FOOD ' . > SUPPLIES;

[From Our Correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, December 12.

The H,on A. M. Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, has completed arrangements with woolen mills throughout the Dominion for the manufacture of military supplies, clothes and garments required for 1918. In some cases they show slightly improved quality even (ever tho high standard supplied last year. Tho goods liavo been arranged for at prices the same as those which ruled for 1917.

Mr Myers stated that at an early; date clothing manufacturers throughout the Dominion would be given an opportunity to tender for making up uniform clothing, shirts and other goods required. The value of these contracts would reach approximately £300,000, including material. As regards supplies of boots and shoes manufacturers would be given an early opportunity to tedder for a quantity of 1918 patterns required. Under present conditions it was somewhat difficult for the Defence Department to estimate its requirements, but early during the new year he hoped to bo in a position to invite tenders for other miscellaneous lines and stores required.

A NON-COMPETITION DIFFICULTY Referring to the matter of supplies generally Mr Myers remarked: “ While tho Supplies Department experienced good competition when inviting tenders in 1915 and 1916,’ very indifferent' results from this method of buying are disclosed in manjr. lines under present conditions. This is illustrated Dy the faot that after advertising throughout the Dominion out of twenty lines of foodstuffs for which tenders wero invited last month there wjere seven lines for which no quotations at all were received, and five lines for which there was only one quotation each. It is, therefore, clear that in twelve line: out of twenty there was no competition whatever, consequently the market had to be suitably tested before I could confirm orders being placed. Tin’s state of affairs has brought mo and my advisers to realise that the, tender system does not under ruling circumstances economically procure many lines needed ; in fact, as above illustrated, the tender system to-day fail? entirely to secure many commodities in short supply. To meet the position the necessary steps have been taker to purchase what is needed, making arrangements direct (with wholesale houses, manufacturers and importers. These comments apply particularly tc all imported lines.” The Minister expressed a hope that good competition -during 1918 would he exhibited by New Zealand manufacturers In tendering for goods required of a nature which can he mado in New Zealand. As intimated bv Mr Myers last vear when dealing with these large contract arrangements (for delivery are such that the domestic requireiiients of tho people of New Zealand, which are considerable, can be satisfactorily dealt with by the woollen mills, though it will test their output to the utmost capacity. t