GOVERNMENT STORES

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 32

GOVERNMENT STORES

SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS DISCLOSURE OF NAMES DESIRED. WELLINGTON, October 5. Further endeavours are to be made by the Associated Chambers of Commerce to have the Government Stores Control Board disclose the prices submitted by successful tenderers. At the meeting today of the Wellington executive a letter was read from the chairman of the Control Board in which it was stated that at a recent meeting of the board the question was again reviewed, and the pre.-ent policy of reserving the right to disclose or treat as confidential the prices paid for stores was reaffirmed. It was intimated that the British Government’s policy was to treat prices as confidential, information being disclosed only in those cases where publication was required by Statute. The executive members said this was no reason why the practice should be followed in New Zealand. The British Government did not invite tenders indiscriminately for its specific requirements; only certain firms were eligible to tender. The representatives of overseas firms were entitled to obtain information in regard to the tenders to forward to their principals. In the case of England the actual supplier was right at the door, and could get the information required through its own trade organisations. That was impossible in New Zealand, and probably had been overlooked by the Stores Control Board. If prices were disclosed 'it would be of benefit to the Government, and would create competition, also confidence in the board. There could be no real objection to the publication of tenders.