TANK LOCOMOTIVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20039, 4 March 1927, Page 9

TANK LOCOMOTIVES

.A VICTORIAN CONTRACT. BRITISH TENDER REJECTED PROTESTS IN COMMONS. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, March 2. In the House of Commons two questions, one by Sir G. Beckett (Con.), and the other by Mr W. Lunn (Lab.), were asked in connection with Victoria’s acceptance of a local tender for four tank locomotives. Each tender was £2OOO higher than the tender of Messrs John Fowler and Co., of Leeds, and it was suggested that representations should be made to the Australian Government against the exclusion of English machinery. Sir R. B. Chadwick (Under-Secretary for Trade) said; “The facts are as stated. The matter is one entirely for the Victorian Government.” Sir G. Beckett: “Isn’t is possible to promote a better observance of the spirit of the Imperial Conference?” Mr Lunn: ‘‘Do you believe this is the way to develop Imperial trade? I’ve seen correspondence saying that there are enormous barriers erected in Australia against Messrs Fowler ” Sir R, B. Chadwick : I understand that that. I have seen correspondence in regard to this firm, but of the total imports of locomotives in 1925, 91 per cent, were British, which was rather better than in 1924. This is a special case. We must not lose sight of the general figures. Mr M. Connolly (Lab.): Did the Leeds tender include snot delivery and freight? Sir R. B. Chad,wick; In understand that it was free of rail. Sir H. Cautley (Con.); Would you consider the propriety of cutting down the £500,000 to be spent on popularising Australian trade in England? There was no answer. Mr Lunn: It is a matter which concerns the British taxpayers, as we loan money to Australia at a cheap rate. The Speaker intervened, and the matter closed.—A. and N.Z. Cable.