SUPPLIES FOR RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20987, 25 September 1931, Page 10

SUPPLIES FOR RAILWAYS.

NO DETAILS OF TENDERS. BUSINESS MEN OBJECT. The question of making public the prices quoted by successful tenderers for railway supplies was again considered by tho council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at its meeting yesterday. During the past two months representations have been made to the Railways Board 011 several occasions asking that the figures quoted by successful tenderers should bo available for inspection. The chamber recently asked whether it was. the practice of the board to publish quotations in most instances and to withhold information in certain cases, or whether the practice was to withhold details in all cases unless there were unusual circumstances. "lu the great majority of cases the policy is known by officers of the department. and the matter is considered in the ordinary course of business," stated ♦ lie general manager, Mr. H. H. Sterling, in a letter received by the council. "I can only say that if any person desires in any particular case to have information regarding the price of accepted supplies, and applies for it. a decision will be reached and communicated to him." The president, Mr. A. M. Seaman, reported that ho had written to the general manager stating that he could only conclude thnt the department's policy was not to make the information available except on request, and then only after consideration. "We have definite information that the department's policy is resulting in the withholding of tenders for supplies, and we have good reasons for believing that the result is unnecessary additional expense to the department, and so to the conntrv," stated his letter. The'president's action was endorsed.