U.S.A. OR ENGLISH ROLLER?

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12199, 25 July 1925, Page 7

U.S.A. OR ENGLISH ROLLER?

COUNCIL EVENLY DIVIDED MAYOR GIVES HIS CASTING VOTE SUPPORTING THE COUNCIL'S EXPERTS

[The voting on the roller question at the City Council last night resulted in an even break, and the Mayor gave his casting vote against the motion to rescind the previous resolution. The meeting lasted over two and a half hours.l A special meeting of the City Council was held last night to further consider the auestTon of the purchase of steam rollers. The correspondence read at the previous meeting was again gone over, together with the letters and cables between the British Engineers’ Association. B, J. Dunsheath (agent), British Association of Manufacturers and Agents, and Anderson’s Christohuroh. A cable from the British Engineers Association' stated that quite satisfacr tory machines were obtainable in England. Further replies were being forThe Mayor said the councillors must take the respohsibility upon themselves. He had endeavoured to get all the information he could for the council, and'he hoped that the mover of the notice of motion would withdraw it and enable an instruction to be. given. OBLIGATIONS TO JJRITAIN Councillor A. L. Monteith, M.P., said he was unable to do eo, for it was to rescind the motion to purchase the American roller, and if that was done the council would not he pledged to any roller. They also had interviewed men who had been in the service of the corporation, and they were about fifty-fifty in favour of the English roller, and the drivqr said the English roller was the best. He had looked; into the question of waving, and proceeded to give the results of various sections of bitumen laid down, in the city. He also dealt with the question of the weight of rollers and the distribution of it over the wheels and roller, adding that the Americans'had profited by experience gained in England. A main Who had to overhaul machines said the English machines would be • still running whop the American machines were scrapped. English machines were made to last, and to buy them was a good proposition. ft was not a matter or sentiment, but business. New Zealand had a. big trade balance against her in her American trade, equal to 50 per cent, of the imports. There was great unemployment in England, jvhere the Dominion's oustomers were, and who took practically the whole. of New Zealand produce, yet they were taking money from them, and spending it m a foreign market. It was net sentiment, but business, and sound business too, to- spend their money with the British people who bought their_ produce. Councillor McKeen. M.P., seconded, and said to-morrow they might be borrowing money from England ana spending it next day with America. •They talked about trade wvthm ■*ne Empire, and their duty to.their -ith and kin. and chambers of ceommeree had pronounced themselves m favour of trading within the Empire. He tielieved from expert opinion, and from what he had seen that the English" article wae far superior to the American. The statement that the English roller could not turn in the same space as the American roller had been exploded. All \he desired to do was t 6 urge the .council to buy a better, finer and cheaper article from, their own kith - ' and kin, and not from America. ■ “BE GUIDED BY COUNCIL’S EXPERTS” Councillor H. D. Bennett said all that had been said was supported bv the other members of the council, but they could not pose as experts. The notice of motion was equal to a vote of want of confidence in the council’s staff. If'they were going to buy plant in the face of the reports from all their officers, where were they going to land themselves? ' , Councillor W. H. Bennett referred to the trouble. experienced in the -milk department in buying , British milk bottles and caps. They, should give their experts the machinery they wanted if they were to take the responsibility. ■ Councillor .Manton skid certain information had come to his knowledge since he voted for the American machine. and if he did not-allow it, to influence him he would not he doing his duty as a citizen and councillor. • Councillor M. I/aokie said the policy had even been to strain to give preference to the British manufacturers. The council’s engineers had the best experience in New Zealand'in the circonstruction ‘of the Hutt road, and knew the machines which would give; the best results. Councillor Aston supported the decision which the council had already arrived at, and said they should rely upon the recommendation of t}ieir responsible officer in such matters, ; NO REFLECTION ON STAFF Councillor V. Meadoworoft refused to allow that if the notice of motion was carried it would show , a want of confidence in the engineer and his staff. A little while ago the council reversed a decision to buy an American'Cummer plant, and purchased a local one. Was that any reflection on the engineer? He thought ,the council should refer the matter and see if an English machine could not be purchased instead. ° Councillo? R. Semple said he regarded the matter from the economic standpoint, and thnv should develop, their industries within the Empire. The dumping of foreign goods ' into New Zealand had- got to stop, and they most encourage their own industries. Everv machine brought in from America threw their own kith and kin out, of work, and helped to crinple British industries. "It, is cowardly for the council to hide behind its officers on a question of policy.” he said. “Do vou want the public to believe that they eaiinot make perfect roads in England? Thev can make the best roads in the wnrld.” Councillor Wright said that in expert matters the council had accepted the decision of if s officers. Tf the motion was carried the position would he that if the English machine could he found to do the work tfie council wa« pren»red +o huv it. Councillor J. Burns said as cpa. todians of the public purse it was their duty to accept the lowest tender, other things being in order. NOT QUITE SATISFIED Councillor fJ. A. Troup said he was not, satisfied that the matter had heop ovhaustivclv cone into or that the Wn—lig}] ranol-inC e-...1rl net de the work. Seeing where they got their

money from they should upend their money, and should, decide now that they wanted British machines for the. future. If they laid down that policy the council’s officers would take notice ° Councillor B. Burn supported the policy of accepting the recommendation of the council’s experts. Councillor Monteith replied, and said if the officers were to decide those, matters why was the council there? ' Mr Paterson, city engineer, gave some technical details as to the English and American machines. The specification was one drawn up by the. late Mr Morton. The Mayor said he believed England could supply a roller to give the desired result, but if they voted for the motion they might find themselves without a roller at the end of .the season. The shortest delivery they could get was three months, and they wanted to get on with the reading this year. If the council would leave the matter with him he would give the British manufacturer every possible opportunity, and would bring the matter before the finance committee. The notice of motion was then put, those voting for being Councillors J. Burns, Huggins, Monteith, Meadowcroft, Manton, McKeen,, Troup, and Semple; against Councillors Aston, W. H. Bennett. H. D. Bennett, Thompson, Luckie, B. G. N. Burn, R. A. Wright, and Norwood. , The voting being eight each the Mayor gave his casting vote . against it ' . • The position, therefore remains as before, the - Mayor stating that he would give the British manufacturers every opportunity. , ’