DEPUTATIONS TO HON. MR RHODES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15748, 26 April 1913, Page 12

DEPUTATIONS TO HON. MR RHODES.

SUPPLIES TO SUTTON CAMPS.

A deputation of business men iu the city waited .on tne Hon Mr Rhodes, ActingMinister of Dcfcnte, yesterday morning to ask that Dunedm merchants should in future be given an opportunity of tendering for the supplies required to Territorial camps. 'l'ne membeis of the deputation were Messrs M'Eariane. Stevenson, Hazlett, Eea, Rattray, Mime, and Wilson.

Mr Statham, M.P., who introduced tho deputation, sa.id the business men of Dunedin felt that they had a grievance in the fact tliat public tenders were not called iu Duncdiu tor the supplies to the camps at Sutton. They were all loyal and patriotic citizens, ar.d they put up wit'u any inconvenience to which they were subjected by the provisions of tile Defence Act while their employees were away, and they felt that when there was a big camp held in any dic-trict thev should have an opportunity afforded to thcin of tendering along with other merchants in New Zealand.

Mr Milne said the Dunedin merchants get no opportunity of tendering, though ono or two retail people did

Mr Eea mentioned that 2j tons of coffee were used at tho camps. His firm got no opportunity of tendering for tho supply. Mr llaziett_ asked if they could ascertain the prices paid for t'.ie supplies. The Hon Mr Rhodes said that was not customary.'

After other gentlemen had addressed tho Minister, Mr Rhodes said he was glad to have an assurance of loyalty from tho deputation, though 'ho was already well awara of tho loyalty of the citizens of Dunedin. He knew, too, that many of them wero put to great inconvenicnce when their employees went off to attend camps, and ho recognised that without their assistance, the scheme could not make progress. Ho wished to help them in any way. In this matter tho arrangements for supplies were made without reference to him. He presumed it was done in tho ordinary routine of office work. He did not know what Mr Allen decided on before ho left, but 'no was certain Mr Allen would have wished that the merchants of Dunedin should liava had an opportunity of tendering. He could only promise—and ho promised on Mr Allen's behalf—feat they would liavo that opportunity next year. Of cour6e, i'iie department had to look to the financial sida of the question and to accept tenders from all over New Zealand for supplies.

Mr Milne: We arc willing to compete with others in any way a& long as wo have an opportunity of tendering. The Hon. Mr Rhodes said a word in praiso of Dunrdin butter and cheese. Ho had no other than Dunedin butter for the 10 days iic spent in camp recently. Mr M'l'arlanc said that oatmeal taken from Dunedin to Wellington was sent from Wellington to the Sutton oamp,

Mr Hazlett pointed out that, with tho payment of harbour dues and other charges by northern merchants, it was possible for Dunedin merchants to quote certain linec at prices that outside merchants could not look at.

Tho Hon. Mr Rhodes said he recognised that fact. He knew that certain firms in Dnneclm wore communicated with. He had received this memo, from tho department :—"Re supply's: Witfi reference i.o the above it is fully recognised that, other things being equal supplies should, as far as possible, be obtained-in the district '.Aero camps are being held. This lias been dono in tire case of the Sutton camp, quotations being obtained in Dunedin and in the vicinity of tho camps at Sutton. This is fully apparent from the following' list of firms or persons from whom quotations were received: Wright and Co., Great Kin? street, Dunedin; Hastio and Co., Princt>a street, Dunedin; E. F. Lawrence, George street, Dunedin; W. Robertson, Middlemarch; T. Carruthers, Muldlemarcli; I'enin sula Milk Co.; T. W. Wise, Middlemarch; Elliott Bros., Rattray 6treet, Dunedin: Murray, Roberts. Ltd., Dunedin; I'. Moyirimn. Sutton: M. Moynihan. Sutton; A. Horn, Middemarch; Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., Dunedin; H. F. Moss, Ltd., Princes street. Dunedin ;_ 11. Hudson and Co., Ltd., Dunedin; Waitaki Dairy Co., Ltd., Dunedin. The ,|Uotations that wore received were mostly for perishable goods. Mr Rhodes added that he had been informed tfcit the majority of the wholesilo houses in Dunedin did not intend to quote a.gafnst the retailers. Several members of the deputation replied that they did not got the opportunity. Mr Rattray thought eome further explanation should bo given about the supplies. How far was competition sought, and what prices wore paid for the goods? The Hon. Mr Rhodes said, as regards tho contact for butter, the contractor would be very glad to be free of his contract. Ho could sell it for 2d per lb. more" than tho figure at which he was supplying it to tho camp. Mr M'Farlano said that, butter was not going up. Tlie Hon, Mr Rhodes said tho price had gone up. Mr M'Farlane: Yes, it went up soma time ago, but it went up in a very funny way. Mr Statham expressed the hope that, in future, tho depa.rt.ment would call for tenders in the four centres for the camp throughout the dominion. If there was a camp in Canterbury, for instance, Otago merchants 6hould have an opportunitv of tendering. ' After a conversational discussion, tho Hon. Mr Rhodes repeated that next year the Dunedin merchants would have an opportunity of tendering. If, 011 his_ return to Wellington, ho could set the prices, 110 would communicato tiiem to Mr Statham Mr Hazlett asked the Minister if an opportunity was given to Ot-ago people to tender for the dry canteen at the camps. He understood a Wellington firm obtained the right to supply the four ccntrcs, and paid £4CO for it. The Hon. Mr Rhodes said it wa.i possible that Mr Allen arranged some of these matters before he left. He would mako inquiries on his return to Wellington. POST OFFICE AT SOUTH DUNEDIN. Mr Sidev, M.P., introduced half a dozen gentlemen from South Dunedin, their object being to protest against the removal of tho post office from Macandrew road to a site near Cargill'o Corner. ilr Downie aid a suggestion had been made by tho Ward Government to shift the post-office. If shifted, it would not please the majority of the residents. It suited tho bulk of the people where it was at present. He hoped tho request of tho "iolly-jxip shopkeepers'' at Cargill's Corner would not be complied with. He admitted that tho present building was not up-to-date, but the money. voted for it woidd make it up-to-date. Mr Mitc'.iell. Mr Hardy. Mr Grorgesoi\, ar.d others also addressed _ the Minister, wlio was asked to pav a visit to the district to sec tho position of tilings for himself. In reply, the Hon Mr Rhodes said ho could not slate without inquiry whether another site . had been purchased. If tho Postal Department possessed a quarter of an acre scction in tho contro of South Dunedin, it appeared to him to be needless to purchase a small section some distanco away. He would inquire into tho position. Ho could not visit the district, as his time was fullv taken up . with engagements. At a later date he would communicate to Mr Sidev the result of his inquiries.