FURNITURE FOR STATE.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19891, 21 May 1936, Page 9

FURNITURE FOR STATE.

MANUFACTURE BY RAILWAVS. USE OF PRIVATE DESIGNS. (From Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The manufacture in railway workshops of cities furniture and other equipment required by Government departments was referred to by Mr S. 6. Holland (Opposition Christchurch North) in a question he asked the Minister or Railways, the Hon. D. G. Suiiivnn. in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr Holland pointed out that in some cases this equipment was made from designs of private firms without. giving them opportunities of tendering and securing contracts. The Minister replied: ”It is correct that certain equipment required‘ by Government Departments will ini future be manufactured in the rail—way workshops. As a matter of fact. a‘ substantial portion of this work has been carried out in the railway works shops for some years. \Vhen the present. workshops were brought into use it was the expressed intention of the Government which authorised their conslrut‘tinn that they should be utilised to L‘tll‘r)‘ out any work required by other departments which the workshops were raphbie of performing. Indemi. part or the justification for the outlay of the horny rapiifll expendi' ture inVolvett lay in this intention. so tar as the design of steel furniture is concerned. the manufacture of such furniture has been developed in the runway \\Ui‘kshops over a period. and tilt‘ Inethnils anti (lrsign follow the ordinary irnde prm‘lires regarding “hit-h un tlrm can claim any design rights."