WHOLESALE PURCHASING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 168, 12 April 1920, Page 2

WHOLESALE PURCHASING

•_—-»-..-; ...... ' FOR HOSPITAL.BOARDS. ' A few boards have delayed sending in their schedules of requirements (says the "Public Health Journal"),: nnd it is understood that one board passed a resolution to file effect that it would yait and see to what extent tha Department was able to.secure adyanfcageous terms before placing its orders--.with "if.- Such'a decision is either selfish or shortsighted. If every board did the same, then the purchasing would naturally fall-through. If the- majority of the boards-.todk up this attitude it would seriously affect '!the prices at which the other boards would obtain their'supplies,' as it naturally follows that the larger tho-crdcr the cheaper the, prices. •'■■•■ Some boards have failed to realise that the Department is not a store, but is acting as an indent agent for the i boards and charging nothing for so doing. It' has the advantage of using such a complete -.buying . organisation as the New Zealand Military Supplies Purchase Office, tho Hkh Commissioner, and otheragencies. Boards l that neglect to avail themselves of the Department's offer must be blind to tly>ir own interests.' More : over, when once the purchasing scheme is 'fairly established steps will lie takeu to r standardise in certain lines in which there is ample 6cope for great economy. For instance, there is a certain line of provisions in universal use in large quantities; the demand for which is at present limited to certain makers, no doubt of tried : excellence, but this- i.rticlc is now 'being produced in Australia of a duality vhich is reported upon hy the Government Analyst to'be-equal lo that of the Home makers, and is'being pro-, duced .f.d.b. at the Australian ports at exactly half the price of the Home producers.,'. This instance may be nppiiedl jto ' ttie |great majority of lines quoted bri'the'schedule circulated to.boards, and if ■•bojirds'; will' ' .on'ly' ,'ackiio.wledge , t .the sttcrigtli-'of comlunhtiou :ah<lßenter','into the scheme ,witK ,'enthusiasni the ratepayers and taxpayers m'iist most certainlybe relieved of some of the (jreat burden that they arc at present carrying.