PREFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1927, Page 2

PREFERENCE.

BRITISH OR BELGIAN. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 27. The question of whether preference should lie given to a British firm in the purchase of 20 motors for Kaukapakapa district was discussed at a meeting of the Waitemnta Power Board. Tlie lowest quotation was £lO below the price of the British articles. T|hi.s came froih a firm representing Belgian interests.

The Board's engineer recommended the Belgian motors, which, lie stated, would givo hotter service for the money. The chairman (Mr TV. J. Hayden) said that each motor made in Belgium was £2 cheaper than those made in England. The question was whether the Board should give preference to British goods. On the other hand, the farmers who were to be supplied with the motors might not agree to pay the extra money for a British article. Mr J. Mackie asked whether the Board was not pledged to support British trade. They were placed in rather nil invidious position when their Engineer recommended the foreign article.

The Chairman said that he had searched the Minute Book, and he could find no reference to the Board having pledged itself to any policy on this question. He recalled that when the Board purchased a motor-car recently, it had bought a British vehicle in spite of the cost. His opinion was that £lO was a good deal of money in the present case. Mr Mackie moved that the Board should purchase British motors. He said the Auckland Power Board had shown its patriotism in a practical way. even although several hundred pounds were at stake on one occasion. Mr H. Day said that it would hardly be fair to accept the tender which was not the lowest, as the tenderers might withhold their quotations in future.

Mr -T. McLeod said that Belgium was not an enemy country. He said £ the Board should accept the Belgian tender. He moved an amendment that the Engineer’s recommendation should he adopted. The amendment was carried.