FORMS OF TENDER FOR STATE CONTRACTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 301, 16 September 1919, Page 4

FORMS OF TENDER FOR STATE CONTRACTS

PROHIBITIVE SPECIFICATIONS. In its .report to tho annual meeting of tho Wellington Industrial Association last evening, the committee referred to the forms of tender for the supply of stores to the Government as bciiiu "most unsatisfactory in so far as manufacturers wero concerned." It is intended to endeavour to arrange for a deputation to wait upon tho board, and point out where tho conditions actually prevent New Zealand manufacturers from tendering at all for certain goods. Tho tender form for bolts may bo instanced. They are to be made of a quality of iron known as "Best Best." This is a very special quality of iron only used in the United Kingdom for very speeir.l work. Further, the forms for tender stipulate ihand-niade bolls, whereas certain engineering firms in tho Dominion luuo special machinery for the making of bolts. Time given for the completion of orders is in one instance tjvo months, thus the importer whose equipment in many cases is nothing other than pen, ink and paper, and a catalogue, is in a position to compete with. New Zealand manufacturers paying thousands of pounds in wages to their workers. The Government tender forms,.certainly require revision, and every encouragement should, it is claimed, be given to our nianuhu:l liters to tender.