ORDER FOR SWEDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 15 August 1924, Page 5

ORDER FOR SWEDEN

/ FOR AW API-XI SCHEME

‘ protest TO MINISTERS

(United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 14. Representatives of the British Manufaeturers’ Agents’ Association waited on Mr Massey and Air Coates to-day and protested against a portion of the contract for the supply of material for the Awapuni hydro electric scheme going to Sweden. Mr G. H. Scott, president of the association, said that just what the association feared had happened. The prestige of British manufacturers had been lost and the general effect was going to be more serious than anybody could calculate. Mr Massey: Our tender is with Armstrong and Whitworth. Mr Scott: Yes; that is a splendid smoke screen. Air Massey : There is no smoke screen as far as we are concerned. We are out in the open. During the discussion it transpired that the value of the work allotted to Sweden is £64,000. In reply Mr Massey said New Zealand was out to give every possible chance to British workers. When the tenders were opened there was some difficulty with regard to machines and parts' of machines of which Swedish manufacturers were making a speciality. After exhaustive consideration the tender had gone to Armstrong and Whitworth. It was impossible to get what they wanted anywhere else than from Sweden.