MILITARY SUPPLIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9623, 31 March 1917, Page 8

MILITARY SUPPLIES

CONTRACTS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR. Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 30. In an interview to-day, the Hon. A. M. Myers said that in accordance with the estimates of the military authorities various contracts had now been let by the department, to the value of approximately £235,800 to secure aiticlcs required, in spread deliveries throughout the present calendar year. These comprise footwear, underclothing, headgear, uniform clothing, articles of equipment, ‘and general hardware. At present tho work connecter! with arranging for the -purchase is practically complete, with tho exception of officers’ boots, mess-tin covers, kit bags, sea kit bags, first field dressings, and tin plates. in regard to food for the men ana forage for the horses, the practice of the department is to call for tenders, with spread deliveries over four months. Existing contracts terminate on Juno 30th. The Minister said it was satisfactory to note that business generally had during the last twelve months been conducted with apparently every satisfaction to all parties interested. Referring to the recent extension of business undertaken by the department in connection with priority permits, the Minister remarked that the system set down had really’ been the growth of representations by the Government to the High Commissioner, who had successfully handled business by passing such representations on to the Ministry of Munitions, w-ith .very satisfactory results up to date. Permits have been granted by the Ministry of Munitions giving preference of manufacture and shipment on evidence collected by them from various sources. The Ministry had announced that from April Ist it would not consider any application made in London for a priority permit unless such application had been previously dealt with by the Minister for Munitions and Supplies in New Zealand- Where difficulty was anticipated in securing goods from the United Kingdom it would be advisable to make out such orders on special forms obtainable from tho department. It was hoped that trade in tho Dominion hitherto held hy manufacturers in the United Kingdom would bo conserved os far as circumstances obtaining through tho war would permit. Tho Ministry, in finally considering local decisions, would not bo able to entertain favourable consideration for now enterprises hut would endeavour to deal systematically with orders for goods required to maintain present outputs'in various industries.