H.—3B

Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS COVERING THE PERIOD FROM THE 1st APRIL, 1920, TO THE 31st MARCH, 1921, INCLUDING AN APPENDIX SHOWING RESULTS TO 31st AUGUST, 1921.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

g IE Wellington, 31st August, 1921. I Lave the honour to submit a review of the operations of the Department of Imperial Government Supplies from the Ist April, 1920, to the 31st March,. 1921. The Department commenced its operations on the 3rd March, 1915, its duties covering the control of the various contracts for purchase of produce by the Imperial Government, including frozen meat, wool, sheep-skins, hides, butter, cheese, frozen and canned rabbits, scheelite, and such other individual contracts as were from time to time made by the Imperial authorities with New Zealand producers. In addition to the work undertaken on behalf of the Imperial Government, the Department has carried out work on behalf of the New Zealand Government, including the purchase of butter and cheese for use in camps and on transports, the internal arrangements in connection with the sale and shipment of kauri-gum, the accounts in connection with the original purchase of wheat from the Australian Government, and the administration of the Butter Equalization Funds. During the year the remaining contracts for purchase of produce on behalf of the Imperial Government terminated at the following dates :— Frozehjneat .. • • • - 30th June, 1920. Cheese .. • • • • .. Ist July, 1920. Wool and sheep-skins .. .. 30th September, 1920. Butter .. .. •• •• 31st March, 1921.

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