PRISON QUARRY METAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17964, 14 December 1921, Page 11

PRISON QUARRY METAL.

"NO UNFAIR COMPETITION." REPLY TO COMPLAINT. Correspondence in connection with the complaint that the Mount Eden Gaol quarries are seriously affecting the private conpanies producing road metal by cutting rates, was considered at the meeting Of the committee of the Auckland Industrial Association yesterday. The association had written to the Minister for Justice, the Hon. E. P. Lee., forwarding the complaint, and explaining that the gaol was selling metal to local bodies at seriously cnt%ates. It was stated that if this went on much longer most private quarries must close, although no one would reasonably object- if the Government sold at market rates and exercised no pieference as to trusts. Replying to tin complaint the Minister said iie had obtained a full report on tho matter, and. while it was 4 clear that the Prisons Department was making some concession to local bodies,' the competition with private firms was in no way unfair. With reference to tho allegation that tho Prisons Department was being given preference to trusts the Minister said ho had been advised that in view of the extreme difficulty experienced by the Auckland prisons matiageincnt in obtaining sufficient trusts for their output, it was clear that the department received no better treatment than did private companies or individuals. • , • The president of the association, Mr. F. M. Hills, said he questioned the statement by the Minister that the gaol competition at reduced rates was not unfair. He was still of opinion that the gaol should its metal at ruling rates. It was decided to forward copies of the Minister's reply to 1 Mr. J, Wilson, who -'nitiated the complaint.