THE ARMY MEAT CONTRACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 20

THE ARMY MEAT CONTRACT.

ENGLISH PRESS OPINIONS. THE WAR OFFICE REQUIRE- . MENTS. THE COLONIAL TENDERS. THE TENDER WAR. MORE COMPLICATIONS. MR BARTON'S EXPLANATION. MR BRODRICK EXPLAINS.

LONDON, January 27.

The Standard, whilst sympathising with the colonies in regard to the meat contracts, urges them to await the War Office's statement. It hopes, however, that the Government will not be influenced by any small attempt at economy ; but possibly they are thinking of the future, and that supplies from the 'Argentine are required to pile up the necessary stores. The Daily Chronicle says that Mr Chamberlain is businesslike, and inclined to favour the colonies to the utmost. If the charges are true, there is an unseen' reason which prevents them securing the total quantity of meat from Australasia.

The Daily News (pro-Boer), in a leading article headed " Colonial Tyranny," says that the War Office is bound to procure the liest food for the troops in South Africa in the shortest time and at the smallest cost. In a commercial sense the colonies had no claim to protection.

January 28.

The Hon. Mr Copeland, Agent-general for New South Wales, makes a strong protest, emphasising that Australia is able to supply the quantity of meat required in South Africa. He has informed the War Office that if a contract is accepted enabling the Argentine to supply the order instead of Australia, such an action would contrast unfavourably with the expressed desire for Imperial solidarity, as the action of the colonies during the war has justified a preference in their favour. Mr Copeland also intendewed the War Office authorities, but, despite two urgent letters as well, he has received no information as to whether any tender has been accepted.

Lord Carringtou has announced that he will ask a question regarding the origin of the statement that Australia is unable to furnish adequate .supplies, and also as to the possibility of cancelling the Argentine contracts. The newspapers would be pleased if the incident could be satisfactorily explained. The Morning Post says if the Premier has been hasty owing to incomplete facts, then the War Office is behindhand in obtaining useful information.

A London firm has tendered to supply ■11 the beef and mutton required at 6|d per lb, including the cost of distribution, stipulating that the meat shall be entirely Australian and New Zealand.

It is unknown if New Zealand and Queensland tendered direct.

The Director of the Army Contracts, when interviewed, admitted he had decided to accept the tender of the Bergl Company.

The Hon. A. Stanley, in the House of Commons, said it was untrue that a preference had been given to the Argentine. The representative of one of the contractors, who was largely interested in Australia, had given a written undertaking that as far as possible dead and live meat"* wo.uld be secured in the colonies.

The ' Hon. Mi* Reeves, interviewed, said that in overlooking New Zealand the War Office had overlooked the main basis of supply and was neglecting the matter of best quality. They had been purchasing for two years past meat

which any of the butchers would say was inferior to the New Zealand meat. He had asked what proportion of the extra price paid represented the cost of distribution. Australia was able to supply everything without asking taxpayers to make any sacrifices, and, other things being equal, was entitled to a preference.

It is understood that the War Office maximum monthly requirement of frozen meat for South Africa is 30,000 quarters of beef and 12,000 sheep. This represents three-fifths of the whole contract, the remaining two-fifths being live stock.

The military authorities in South Africa some time ago forwarded direct to Mr Philp and Mr Seddon. tender forms and specifications for the contract. The War Office early in January also sent forms to the Agents-general, and at Mi- Copeland's urgent instance asked Mr Philp to supply New South Wales aud Victoria with forms. Mr Copeland submitted a tender for 3000 tons of frozen beef and mutton monthly for a year at 4d delivered in South Africa, which is sufficient to supply 220,000 troops with lib of meat per day, independent of a second tender of 20,000 sheep at 3|d, spread over six or 12 months.

Three Victorian tenders were also submitted, one for 500,0001b of mutton or 50,0001b monthly at 3id, and another ior 24,000 quarters of beef aud 24,000 sheep at 3£d ; while a third offered 300,0001b of beef at 4|d and 500,0001b of mutton at 3d, delivered monthly.

[In connection with the tender forms, the Prt-raier made a statement as follows on board the Surrey on Friday last:— "The War Office had sent a cable message to him as Premier asking him to advertise in the colony for supplies of meat, and the authorities had informed him in the same communication that no tender would be acceptnd unless it were on the form prescribed ; that copies of this form had been posted ; and that tenders would be accepted on the 6th of January, and he wished to know how they imagined that the tenders from Now Zealand could have been in London by the 6th of January. The forms arrived on the Ist, as though they had done this deliberately; that at the last moment they had found it convenient to call for tenders in the colony, and they had accordingly made the conditions such that it would be impossible to tender here."]

January 29.

The Hon. A. Stanley says the meat contract provides for a supply of fresh meat at one price and frozen meat at another.

January 31

It is announced that the holders of the meat contract are forming the "Imperial Supply Cold Storage Company/ with a capital of £1,000,000.

February 1

In the House , of Commons, Mr Brodrick stated that -the meat contract, owing to more settled conditions in South Africa affording greater facilities for the distribution of meat, would be three halfpence per pound cheaper, representing a saving in 1902 of between £000,000 and £700,000.

Lord Kitchener expects a saving of 30 per cent in local supplies at the Cape. MELBQURNE, January 31. Mr Barton admits that he cabled s£d a pound for meat for the army. He states that he understood that the difference between quoting Australia and ex store in South Africa was about 2d a pound.

BRISBANE, January 30. Exception has been taken to the cable sent by Mr Barton on January 3 to Mr Chamberlain to the effect that if proper facilities were available for Australian firms to tender a direct offer would be made to supply 3000 tons of mutton and beef monthly at s|d ex store, discharging at three South African ports. A Victorian firm in London had already tendered, including distribution, at the price MiBarton wanted ex store.