GERMAN MACHINES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 November 1927, Page 7

GERMAN MACHINES

ORDER BY SYDNEY COUNCIL

CARRIED BY LABOUR. VOTES

Tho Sydney City Council has. ordered the purchase of 40 German electric vacuum cleaners, at a cost of £6 12s 6d each. The report, presented at tho meeting at which tho'decision was arrived at, stated : “Tho vacuum, cleaners are for stock in tho. electricity sales branch to sell to consumers of City Council electricity on time payment.” Alderman English: I'am surprised at this resolution going through the City Council, seeing the Labour caucus decision was to.oppose the recommendation. This is a case, of officers overriding the caucus decision. • Alderman Burke: I havemiade inquiries to-day,'and find thore . are .none of these machines made in Australia. There are none in stock. They . are wanted badly. , Alderman English asked that the jnatter be recommitted. He contended that since , the decision of the caucus officers members of the electricity department had interviewed Labour aldermen, and induced them to goi hack on the caucus decision. Alderman Lawes said the appliances were purchased, and most.of them were sold to customers already. Alderman English moved that tenders be called. He said he did so with a view to testing discipline in the Labour Party. He wanted to, see how many aldermen had the courage to adhere.to the caucus decision. Only Alderman Roberts andO’Dca of the Labour Party supported Alderman English. The motion for the purchase of . the machines was again carried by a majority vote.