CONSOLIDATED BUYING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1942, Page 4

CONSOLIDATED BUYING

AGENCY FOR THE MINISTRY OF SUPPLY. Under the authority of the Ministry of Supply, a new company which will not make any profits, to be known as Consolidated Importers (N.Z.) Limited, will be the sole agent of the Ministry for the importation of goods under certain tariff items—mainly tools, and certain plant and equipment. This matter has been under discussion between the merchants concerned - and the Ministry of Supply for some time. The change in the method of ordering from overseas is essential, but the new procedure will ensure the least possible disturbance of the flow of goods through their usual channels. Of necessity, in the main, orders will be ■ placed overseas by the ■ Ministry of Supply as Government purchases, but provision is also made for merchants to place orders direct with manufacturers whenever goods can be so obtained in complete satisfaction of the requirements of the Dominion. These , orders will in the first place be submitted to the company, who will hold the licence and arrange the measure of support required from the Government of New Zealand to the Government of the country of origin. Committees representative of all interests have been set up in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. These committees have elected from their own number, representatives who will become directors of the company, which is set up mainly for the dual purpose of consolidating orders and controlling the distribution of goods on arrival. Every possible effort has been made to protect the interests of every merchant entitled to import goods undei the tariff items concerned, and the attention of all merchants interested is directed to a public announcement in this issue'.