MILITARY SUPPLIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 21

MILITARY SUPPLIES

CONTRACTS NEARLY £300,000. The Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and (Supplies, advised a Post representative on Thursday that he had completed arrangements with various woollen mills throughout the dominion to manufacture military supplies of cloths and garments required for the calendar year 1918. The cloths and garments in some cases showed a slightly improved quality even over the high standard supplied last year. The goods have been arranged for at prices which were the same as ruled for 1917. Mr Myers stated that at an early dato clothing manufacturers throughout tho dominion would be given an opportunity to tender for the making-up of uniform clothing, shirts, and other goods required. The value of these contracts, when placed, would reach the sum of, approximately, £300,000, including the materials. As regards supplies of boots and fchoes, at an early date manufacturers would bo given an opportunity to tender for the quantity of 1918 patterns required by the military authorities. Under present conditions it was somewhat difficult for the Defence Department to estimate its requirements, but early in the now year he hoped to be in a position to invite tenders for other miscellaneous lines of stores required. Referring to the matter of supplies generally, Mr Myers remarked: " While the Supplies Department experienced good competition when inviting tenders in 1915 and 1916, very indifferent results : from this method of buying are disclosed in many lines under the present conditions. This is illustrated by the fact that, after advertising, throughout the dominion, out of 20 lines of foodstuffs for which tenders wero invited last month there were seven lines for which no quotations at all were .received, and five lines for which there was only one quotation each, ft is, therefore, clear that in 12 lines out of 20 there wo3 no competition whatevcr ; and consequently the market had to bo suitably tested beforo I could confirm orders being placwi fox tho goods required. " This state of affairs has brought mo and my advisers to roaliso that th/3 'tender system' does not under ruling circumstances economically procure many lines needed. In fact, as above illustrated, the tender system to-day fails entirely to secure many commodities in short supply. To meet the position the necessary steps have been taken to purchase what is needed by making arrangements direct with wholesale houses, manufacturers, and importers. These comments apply, particularly to all imported lines."

Tho Minister expressed the hope that' good competition during 1918 would be exhibited by New Zealand manufacturers in, tendering for goods required cf a naturo which can bo made in New Zealand. As intimated by Mr Myers last year, when dealing with these large contracts arrangements for delivery are such that tho domestic requirements of the people of Now Zealand, which are considerable, can be satisfactorily dealt with by the woollen mills, which are working to their utmost'* capacity.