A Cheery Letter

Levin Daily Chronicle, 22 February 1917, Page 1

A Cheery Letter

FROM A LONDON FIRM. In Tuesday's Chronicle a reference was made to a letter read at Levin Borough Council meeting from the London firm of William Coward and Co., Ltd. Following is the text of the letter:—"To the Borough Engineer, Levin. Deal' Sir, —Our friends generally in the Commonwealth and dominions will hardly be surprised at the absence of our circular reviews, an edition of which should have appeared on the 30th September. As you know the unprecedented conditions existing at the present time in public affairs have cast their influence over all descriptions of commerce. Their effect is felt throughout the civilized world in matters of everyday life and we have not found it possible to prepare matter for a review of sufficient importance to distract the attention of our readers from the burning questions of the day. In the ordinary pursuance of our business, difficulties face us in every direction, but we are glad to say we have been able 'tio hold steadily on our path of usefulness—if not of much progress—and our shipments generally have been effected with more celerity and precision that we had a right t-o expect. Fully aware of the .responsible nature of the work and recognising the danger likely to- ensue should important lighting g.nd water companies and corporations, in great measure dependent upon us for plant, fail in the fulfilment of their obligations to their respective com-

munities, we have by assiduous and persistent activity obtained exceptional facilities from the Government Departments concerned. Thus we were granted permission to ship the matergasholder contracted for and construcial necessary to complete the enormous ted under our supervision in England, for the Australian Gas Light Company of Sydney, and wore successful in overcoming the impediments to successful deliveries in many other instances. We hold letters from our principals of the highest 'commendation in 'regard 'to our efforts on their behalf during the many months of strenuousness and worry. Under the circumstances we feel that our excuse for the non-pub-lication of the circular review will be accepted sympathetically by the many friends who have so widely and so generously expressed their appreciation of it. We firmly believe that victory is declaring for the Allies in the fight against militarism; for the rights of the nations in general and for the integrity and future security of our Empire in particular. Many of our clients and "correspondents write us that until the conclusion of the war, their purchases will he kept_ down as much as possible, and they appear to be under the impression that we are anxious for immediate business and that such a reply is sufficient. As a matter of fact, our policy is quite different. We are, of course, ready to execute indents at any time, tout recognising the curtailment of business which is also universal and at the | same time feeling that those in the overseas dominions have made up their minds to use British goods wherever possible, we wish to prepare the ground for post-war conditions. Australasia is bound to develop and that rapidly, as soon as labour, money, commerce and the world's inventive faculties are permitted to run freely for the development of its splendid resources. New plant will be required, and with 80 years of continuous experience in dealing with overseas corporations and gas companies we feel you cannot do better than approach ujSwhen the time to purchase comes. Compare our small remuneration of 2-J- per cent on the value of goods actually shipped with the profits taken by local agents, who are in addition biased in favor of one particular manufacturer, and the high percentage for

contingencies demanded by manufacturers when dealing with such orders placed directly. Such questions as the supervision of construction, the arangements of deliveries up to the promised date and those important points of freight and charges, which i.ie often given ia second place with the result that the final cost of indent much exceeds the estimate and reductions on freight secured by us are passed on to our principals. Doubtless your staff is considerably reduced by the absence of those who have joined the Expeditionary Forces" and you will, therefore, find your time more than usually occupied. -It may be, however, that you can manage to spare us a few minutes and to drop us a line telling us whether there is any likelihood of our having the pleasure of dealing with your indents, at the same time asking us for information upon subjects of interest to you. The mass of data we have collected is entirely at the disposal of our correspondents whether business results or not—in most cases we find that the provision of these particulars is the stepping stone to orders.