BRITAIN’S RAZOR DEAL’

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12604, 15 November 1926, Page 3

BRITAIN’S RAZOR DEAL’

M.P.’* SHARP COMMENT LONDON. Xomnber 4. Sir Frederick Sykes, M.P., one of the members for Sheffield, expressed himself stronely in an interview with an “Evening Standard’ 7 representative on the order given to an American firm for the ney safety razors to be issued to the British Army. ‘‘The War Office order,” Sir Frederick enid, “calls for an immediate explanation. It is a blow to the British steel industry which comes home to me as a Sheffield member. * “Even if British steel and other material are used, there is a loss to British nrodnetivity. “Tho direct profits of the contract and the indirect profit which arises from spreading standing overhead cost will go to American capital, and the British taxpayer by this means is called upon to subsidise foreign industry against his own. “In my opinion only the most fundamental difference in cost or quality could justify the Government in placing orders abroad, and only after the most exhaustive examination should nnv order be given to a foreign firm. “The present purely departmental view taken in placing contracts does not give this examination. “I am convinced that an examination of this order from the broad aspect of national advantaeo would show it to be most ill-advised/’