MILITARY SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 69, 14 December 1917, Page 9

MILITARY SUPPLIES

tender system not quite

SATISFACTORY

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER

'm. Arthur Myers, Minister-in-vjharg9 of Munitions , and Supplies, Made a statement yesterday regarding ithe purchaso of supplies of khaki cloth and woollen garments for tho troops. Mr. Myors states that ho has completed arrangements with various woollen mills throughout tho Dominion to Snanufacturo military supplies of cloths and garments required for the calendar year 1918. Tho cloths and garments in somo cases show a slightly improved quality even over tho nigh standard supplied last year. Tho goods liavo ibeon arranged for at prices which aro tho same as ruled for 1917.

Mr. Myers stated that at an early idato 'clothing manufacturers throughout the Dominion would bo given an opportunity to tender for the makingVP of uniform clothing, shirts, and other goods required. The value of :theso contracts when placed will reach '■the sum of approximately £300,000, including the materials. As regards supplies of boots and shoes, at an early date manufacturers would he given an opportunity to tender for the quantity of 1918 patterns required by the military authorities. Under present -conditions it is somewhat difficult for the Defence Department to estimate its requirements, but early during the "New Year he hoped to bo in a..position to invito tenders for other miscellaneous lines of stores required. Referring to the matter of supplies generally, Mr Myers remarked: ''While 'tha Supplies Department experienced pood competition when inviting tenders in 1015 and 1916, very indifferent'results from this method of buying are 'disclosed in many lines under present conditions. This is illustrated by the fact that, after advertising throughout .ithe Dominion, out of twenty lines of foodstuffs for which tenders.were invited last month there were seven lines '.for which no quotations at all were deceived, and fivo lines for whicli thqro was only one quotation cadi. It is, jfchereforo, clear that in twelve, linos out of twenty there wa3 no competition .whatever, and consequently tho market had to be suitably tested before I could confirm ■ orders being placed for' 1 the goods required. ; "This state of'affairs has brought ane and my advisers to realise that the tender system does not undor ruling ■circumstances economically procure many lines needed. In fact, as above illustrated, the tender system to-day. i fails entirely to secure many commodities in short supply. To meet the [position the necessary steps have been 'taken to purchase what is needed by making arrangements direct with wholesale houses, manufacturers and importers. Tlieso comments apply particular- j ,iy. to all imported lines." The Minister oxpTessed tho hope that | good competition during 1918 would bo j exhibited, by New Zealand manufacturers in tendering for goods required of' a nature which can be made' ill New Zealand. In dealing with these large contracts arrangements for delivery are such that the domestic' requirements of the peopl.e of New Zealand, which are considerable, can be satisfactorily dealt with by the woollen mills. The task of suoplying both civil and •military demands is testing the mills to tho utmost capacity. ,