TENDERS FOR COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20673, 19 September 1930, Page 15

TENDERS FOR COAL.

CRITICISM OF METHOD. MR. FLETCHER DISSATISFIED. " NOT OPEN AND ABOVE-BOARD." [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. Vigorous criticism of Iho method followed in callinpr tenders for tho supply of coal for the Railways Department was voiced by Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Independent —Grey Lynn') in the House of Representatives to-day during the debate on the Railways Statement. Mr. Fletcher said over £200,000 worth of coal was involved in coal contracts. The method by which a recent contract for the supply of Waikato coal had been entered into was outlined by Mr. Fletcher. An urgent telegram, reading as follows, was sent to several companies on August 15: "Arc you prepared quote for contract your company supply whole of our requirements Waikato coal up to 1500 tons per week for period say three years ? If so pleaso quote price. Reply to-day certain." Seasonal Supplies. "On specifications such as that, companies were asked to quote for over £200,000 worth of goods," said Mr. Fletcher. "In those specifications, if one can call them such, there is not one word about seasonal supplies, yet the Controller of Stores says later that the accepted tender was for seasonal supplies. Why were the other companies not told of that fac,t ? There is something not open and above-board in this way of doing business. There can Lie no explanation which can he satisfactory to me. "More than that, the department has paid 19s 3d a ton when it had two offers, one for 700 tons and one for 750 tons at 19s, yet the tender of 19s 3d a ton is accepted, and the Taupiri Company, which got the contract, is not supplying all the coal. Some is coming from the Glen Afton mines and those who remember the recent discussion in the House about the lease of tho Mac Donald State mine to Glen Afton are wondering what all this means." The Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. A. Veitch: Thai's the stuff! Contract lor Three Years. Mr. Fletcher: Yes, and if the Minister can explain it away ho has something ahead of him. Why should the contract be fixed up for three years ? Mr. Veitch: It is for two years. Mr. Fletcher: Well, why were tenders called for three years ? Mr. Veitch: 1 am not under crossexamination. Air. Fletcher: Other people were not given the opportunity to tender for seasonal supplies. Mr. Veitch: There were letters before the telegram. Mr. Fletcher: This is the only communication with regard to this particular contract. 1 will be very interested in tho explanation how this company got the contract. Of course, if the Minister lias a satisfactory explanation I will accept it, but I am going to be hard to convince that this is a good way to do business. Telegrams From Auckland. Speaking on the railway estimates shortly before midnight Air. Fletcher quoted three telegrams he had received from Auckland, and asked tho Minister for his explanation. Mr. Veitch said he had communicated with the officers of the department since tho point was raised that afternoon and they informed him that not only were prices called for previously, but wer» actually in the department's head office. A new principle based on total supplies had been introduced in the submission of one tender, which was a very satisfactory one. As a result urgent telegrams were sent to the'other tenderers asking them if they desired to amend their tenders in the light of the new provision. Mr. Fletcher then suggested that perhaps the two companies which obtained the contract got something different from the telegrams sent to tho other companies. " Was this thing on tho level ?" lie asked. The chairman of committees, Mr. W. A. Bodkin, called for order and the incident lapsed. ALSATIAN DOGS. ATTACKS ON SHEEP ALLEGED. HIGHER FEES SUGGESTED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS A3SOCI ITION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. A question whether the Government would consider increasing registration fees on certain classes of dogs was asked by Mr. J. Linldater (Reform— Manawatu) in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Linldater said Alsatian dogs were increasing in numbers and their depredations among sheep were causing concern to farmers. It was felt that if registration fees were increased tho number of these dogs would decrease. The Hon. P. A. do la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, said that so far there had been no opportunity to amend the Act and it was not proposed to make any alteration this session. Ho would make a note of tho question for future consideration.