COUNCILS THREAT

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 14

COUNCILS THREAT

QUOTATIONS FOR PRINTING

A LIVELY DEBATE.

Tlic following clause was included 111 the report of the Finance Committee to the City Council last evening, and caused a very lively debate, Cr. J. TV. Roberts objecting to the policy it represented: "The committee asked for quotations for printing the Year Book. Five were received, all quoting the same price for the work. The committee, not being satisfied with the tenders submitted, has set np a sub-committee to go into this question, and report back to the committee. The sub-committee will also supervise all future, requirements in connexion with printing for which tenders are called or quotations obtained, and it is empowered, if necessary, to call for prices'from firms outside the City." Cr. Roberts asked for the names of the sub-committee. He said he was against the concluding sentence in the clause. He was against work being sent out of the City while there was unemployment here. He was surprised at any Labour majority being responsible for such a clause. It was a stick which would bo used against; Labour at next election, and was comparable with the proposal to work the West Coast mines with Chinese.

The Mayor said the sub-committee comprised Crs. Hunter, Maefarlane, Beanland, and Lyons. Cr. J. W. Beanland: There's a couple of good Tories among them. Cr. Kobertß moved that the sentence ho objected to be deleted. . Cr. C. Carr seconded the motion. He said.he did so because-he was against cut-throat price-cutting. He commended the master printers on agreeing on a price, if.it was a fair one. * Cr Beanland: Ah! That's the point. Cr. E. H. Andrews: It's only what the Labour Unions do.

Cr. G-. Manning said the Unions did not fix wages. This was done by an arbitrator. He proceeded to explain his point. "You're as clear as mud," interrupted Cr. Andrews.- ,

Cr. Manning Explains. Cr. Manning said they could prove that the price submitted by, the master printers was an average of prices, considered by their Association. They had only to submit high prices, and the average was high. He characterised as foolish a statement by Or. Carr that ■printers had been known to put in prices which did not pay. "Why should we not go outside if we can get better prices there?", he .asked.. Cr. Eoberts had not drawn a parallel at all, ,he said, in hia reference to Chinese. He was against the parochialism which would discriminate betwoe'n City and City. Cr. P. W. Sharpe said' the subcommittee should meet representatives of the master printers, and find out something about their profits, (Laughter.) From what he could gather the prices were arrived at in a fair and scientific manner. AH the prices submitted should be sent in, so that the Council could accept the lowest tender. Cr. G R. Hunter said that if he could do it he would always be in favour of saving the City £25 or £3O in a matter of this kind. All things being equal, he would always, be in favour of all work being done in Christchurch, but at the same time lie was not going to be a. party to the exploitation of the public.

Going Outside the City.' Or. T. H.' Butterfield said that he, agreed with Cr. Roberts. If there were five or sis -firms, in the. combine there must be-..five, or,,'six outside it, and it should not be necessary to go outside, the City. He was against work being 'sent, outside; the City while men were but of work in church. ■ ■ '■" •'.■'

The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that the committee had given .the matter fair treatment, but felt that it had not been dealt with fairly by those who had tendered. Five tenders were received, and all were alike. A similar position: had arisen previously. He had received a deputation from the Master Printers' Association, who claimed that there was no man in the Association who went in for cut-throat competition, and they guaranteed to''put'in fair prices. He had asked why, if .such was : the case, the man who had put in the lowest tender had not been given the work, but ,was told that this was .not the svstem adopted by the Association. What the Association did was to take a' fair average of the. prices and put that in. The Mayor-had been, assured that no' one : outside the Association had tendered; ..As 'a .matter of fact, tenders had not been called for.. Cr. Roberts: Why, .this,is a queer sort of. a.business! "':'" Would Go to China."

The Mayor said that the Council wanted to know bow the prices of other centres compared with those of Christchurch, but if he found that a group of men wa3 combining to exploit the City he would go outside the City and, if necessary, outside the country. Cr. Roberts: To China? The Mayor: Yes. I shall ; be perfectly frank about the matter. Cr. Roberts protested .against the tenders not being publicly advertised. The Mayor: I know nothing about that. . , ' . '. ' Cr. Roberts: Then it is time you knew something about, what is, going on in the City. "T will accept your vote of censure, said the Mayor, 'laughing. The amendment that the words after '.'obtained" be deleted was defeated by nine votes to five, the voting being as; follows: — ■ . For the amendment: Grs. McLombs, Cnrr, Butterfield,- Roberts, and Andrews. ',,,.„■ Against: The Mavor and Crs. Hunter, Macfarlane. Manning, Sharpe, Lyons. Beaven, Herbert, and Beanland. The clause was then adopted.

asked a candidate'a question that the Association was in favour of it? Mr Dalley; Assuredly it docs.' The chairman agreed with Mr Dalley's answer. The Association asked questions because it wanted them answered affirmatively. < Mr Goiirlay: Then it is a waste of time asking questions —absolutely. In reply to the chairman, Mr DaJ!ey said he objected to the question asking candidates if they favoured any. one section on any line over which the passenger first travelled being charge- - ! Id; and also to the decision not to ask any questions regarding concession tickets. After some further talk, Mr Dalley consented to hold-up his resignation till a special meeting, to Ik>. held :i fortnight hence, when the questions to be asked candidates for the Tramway Board will he reconsidered. The members of the Association's Tramway Committee are to.be specially notified of this meeting. ."