TENDERS FOR BREAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1941, Page 3

TENDERS FOR BREAD

CRITICISM OF COMBINED ACTION. AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD DISCUSSION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. June 9. "I consider this strikes at the root of tendering.” said Mr Allan J. Moody, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, when tenders for the supply of bread to the hospital came before a meeting of the board. “Three days ago.” Mr Moody said, ■'three leading bakers rang the secretary asking to see me to discuss the question of their firms arranging to supply bread for four months each. I was horrified to think this was the way of doing things in Auckland, and I refused to see them. “I now find tonight that the three firms have tendered on the same form, stipulating the same conditions and terms. It is the most impudent effrontery I have ever seen.” Stating that he had never yet seen tenderers beforehand and did not intend to do so, the chairman then moved that the board should readvertise for tenders for the supply of bread. Flour was under Government control, said Mr J. H. Kinnear, and bakers could not be expected to cut their own throats. They were working under difficult conditions and had to do what the Government said. Mr J. Guiniven: “What we object to is their approaching the chairman.” The motion to readvertise for tenders was carried.