3

H.—24

The reason for (c) is that, direct importers who for business and patriotic reasons desire to quote for military supplies hesitate to do so in competition with their wholesale customers, and consequently in such, cases heavy loss can be sustained by the Government unless flic most economical purchase is made by the Department. Then, again, a successful tenderer is ofttimes in a better position to conduct his buying-operations if his rivals in trade are not aware of the fact that he is a successful tenderer for military supplies. This protection to tenderers has had the effect of encouraging business houses to tender more freely, and has been much appreciated, by contractors. In cases where quotations are made on samples submitted or direct purchases effected by the Department, the office system inaugurated enables me to at any time look into particular cases with a view to justifying the action taken before orders are confirmed by inc.

Personal Equipment for Infantry. 8. The position in regard to the variety and nature of this supply has not altered since my last report. The following table, however, will no doubt be of interest: —■

Number of Article. Eaoh issued , per Man. 1915 Ci >st of Issue per M. t. 1915. 1916. 1917. \ Personal Equipment. £ s. d. Tunics .. .'. .. .. 2 1 18 6 Trousers .. .. .. .. 2 13 4 Putties .. .. .. ... 1 0 4 0 Greatcoat . . . . . . . . 1 1 16 0 Hat, and puggaree . . . . . . 1 0 6 2 Cap 1 0 4 2 Kit-bag '.. .. .. .. 1 0 3 3 Blankets .. .. 3 14 0 Braces 1 0 13 Boots 2 116 .1.0 Drawers 2 0 8 6 Shirts, working .. .. .. 2 0 12 6 Shirts, under .. .. .. 2 0 8 6 Shoes .. .. .. •• 1 0 6 9 Suits, denim. . .. . . . . 1 0 8 6 Socks 3 030 Cholera-belts .. .. .. I 0 I. 2 Holdall .. .. .. .. 1 0 0 41 Sea-kit 1 0 0 4 Jersey .. .. .. .. 1 0 5 6 Housewife . . . . .. .. I ' 0 0 10 Knife, fork, and spoon . . . . i 0 16 Plate and mug .. .. .. 1 0 0 41 Towels .." 2 0 L 6 Sheet, waterproof .. .. .. I 0 8 9 £ s. d. 1 18 6 1 3 4 0 4 0 1 16 0 0 6 2 0 4 2 0 3 3 1 4 0 0 I 3 1 .1.6 .1.0 0 8 6 0 1.2 6 0 8 6 0 6 9 0 8 6 0 3 0 0 I. 2 0 0 41 0 0 4 0 5 6 0 0 10 0 1 6 0 0 41 0 1 6 0 8 9 £ s. d. 2 9 9 1 7 5$ 0 5 4| 2 2 5f 0 5 61 0 4 3" 0 3 3* 1 (i 0 0 I. 0.] 1 18 0 0 10 0 0 14 0 0 9 1.0 0 6 6 0 8 8 0 4 Of 0 2 I. 0 0 5i 0 0 2f 0 5 6 0 0 6 0 1. 6 0 0 4.1 0 1 5 0 8 5 £ s. d. 2 14 4 1 13 6 0 6 5 2 8 0 0 9 8,i 0 4 0.', 2 5 0" 0 1 1-| 1 19 0" 0 12 0 0 16 0 0 12 0 0 10 5 0 8 9 0 4 4-1 0 2 3 0 0 3 0 0 6i 0 7 ()" 0 I. 0 0 1 61 0 0 5| 0 2.2 0 9 6 1.2 5 7* 1.2 5 7* 13 16 8^* 16 9 4|* Accoutrements. Identity-discs .. .. • • • • 0 0 1 Rifle " 3 43 Slings, rifle, web Bayonet, . . .. .. • • • • 0 8 3 Scabbard .. .. .. ■• •• 0 2 5 Pull-through .. ■.. •• •• 0 0 4 Oil-bottle .. .. 0 0 3| Protector, F.S. Web equipment, pattern 1908 . . .. 16 5 Water-bottle .. .. .. •• 027 Implements, entrenching, heads ,. .. 0 12 Implements, entrenching, helves .. .. 0 0 4 J Mess-tins, complete .. . . .. • • 0 3 10 0 0 1 3 4 3 0 0 1 5 10 0 o o i 5 13 6 0 1 0 0 8 3 0 2 5 0 0 4 0 0 S| 0 12 0 0 6 10 0 0 5 0 0 1(1 ! I. 0 0 1 6 5 0 2 7 0 1 2 0 0 I] 0 3 10 III 9 0 2 10 0 1 4 0 0 6 0 3 4.1 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 6 1 12 6 0 2 10 I I 0 1 9 0 3 9 1 5 10 0 I 8 9 Hi 8 16 11 i *The percentage of ncreases are—1916, 12-67 per cent, over 1.915; 1917, cent, over 1915 prices. Hav ng regard to the general upward tendency of all pri some article-, and the increased difficulties mot by manufacturers in ob aining regard the increases as reasonable and satisfactory in view of further advances w traots were let. 19 per cell . over ices, improved qua. ; and retaining uii 'hich have taken p] r 1916 and 34 per ,lity, larger sizes in itable assistance, I ilace since our con-