PURCHASE OF PIPES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21553, 16 January 1940, Page 6

PURCHASE OF PIPES

Heavy Increase in Price Borough Council Protests Effect Of Import Restrictions The opinion that the Government was ill-advised to harass local bodies with additional costs as a result of the import restriction policy was expressed during a discussion at the meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last night when the following resolution, proposed by Crs H. J. Mathers and W. H. Hall, was carried:— “That the Council protests against the Government's action in compelling it to purchase New Zealand-made pipes at more than 100 per cent, greater cost than would be paid for the imported article of superior quality, inasmuch as the imported pipes would be of spun metal and in longer lengths.” “You will notice that the tenders for eighteen inch cast iron pipes for the repair of the sewer at Smithfield are more than 100 per cent, above those previously received last June, long before the war, and for w’hich a permit to import w-as denied to the tenderer,” said Cr. Hall, who brought the subject up for discussion. “Although we pressed the urgency of the work and the Health Department supported us, no decision could be had until a short time ago, when we were informed that we would have to take locally made pipes. On the Council’s behalf I twice waited on the officials of the Industries and Com- I merce Department, and. although get- ! ting a most courteous hearing, was at last informed by the Industries Section that as they could be made here we would have to use New Zealand-made pipes. I pointed out that as the foundries were busy, and did not want the order, we would probably have to pay for patterns for the few pipes required, and this would make the cost prohibitive. Again, very courteously. I was informed that cost did not matter—that it was only a balancing of values between one part of New Zealand and another and did not enter into it at all—that very likely we would have to press the foundries to do the work; i that again was our affair. “The effect is that New Zealand i foundries have been pressed to tender for work they do not want, work which is a specialised one requiring a large and exoensive plant to turn out a spun pipe of very high quality, and their tender is more than 100 per cent, greater for an inferior pipe in 6ft instead of 12ft lengths. Position of Foundries "One appreciates the need to support local industry in directions where they want work and can do it at anything approaching reasonable figures." added Cr. Hall, “but not to the extent of forcing them to do work they have not the plant for and little chance of getting repeat orders and at more than double the price for the ratepayers to pay. “It was interesting to read in Thursday’s ’Timaru Herald’ the castigation given by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan to the Whakatane Paper Mills Coy. for daring to want to get a higher price for their goods on account of rising costs. Surely this is of no moment, only a ‘balancing of values,’ his Department says! Should we pass him a vote of thanks for his valuable efforts to balance values, so successful a balancer has he been, that we have to pay more than 100 per cent, more for the pipes necessary for our sewer repairs. and pipes not of the same high quality as the soun pipes available at i less than half th? price and twice the length. Should we especially thank him for his feat of balancing?” concluded Mr Hall. Appeal to Minister Cr. H. J. Mathers suggested that the matter should be brought before the notice of Mr Sullivan. The pipes which the Council had been obliged to purchase were not so strong and were altogether inferior to the imported article, and they were only half the length. Cr. Mathers then moved as indicated above. Cr. J. S. Satterthwaite remarked that it was fortunate that a large sum had not been involved. Cr. A. S. Kinsman said that the Government had adopted a certain | policy and it would ill become the Council to criticise the Government. They had received many courtesies at I the hands of various Government Departments and he felt it would be better not to protest. A protest would prejudice the Council more than it would help it. Cr. F. B. Foote said that when additions! costs arose even in a small item the Council could well assume that it would apply to major costs. The Council had got to explain to the ratepayers why the pipes would cost 100 per cent, more than had been anticipated. Under th? circumstances it was proper for the Council to lodge a protest. Cr. Mathers: Not only will the pipes cost us 100 per cent, more, but they are 50 per cent, less in efficiency. We will have to spend a lot more in order to protect these pipes from the action of the sea. Six feet lengths would be very much easier to shift than 12ft lengths. Non-Political Protest The Mayor (Mr W. G. Tweedy) said that the whole history of the matter had been exceedingly unfortunate Originally part of the pipes had been washed away and the sewage had created a definite menace. The Council had sought the support of the Health Department in securing permission to import the necessary pipes to effect repairs. There had been nothing but delay and indecision until finally the Council had been forced to buy th° New Zealand-made article. In view of the difficulties with which local bodies had to contend to-day Mr Tweedy said he thought that the Government should refrain from forcing increaser! costs upon them, particularly when they would not get a satisfactory job by using the New Zealand products. He thought it proper for the Council to record its protest against the general principle of making the finances of . local bodies more difficult than at present. Irrespective of whatever Government had been responsible, he would protest in an instance such as the present. His view was non-political, and he was voting purely on non-political grounds.

The motion was carried, Cr. Kinsman alone dissenting.