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Two of the main objects aimed at were to ensure that purchases would be made by trained officers acquainted with prices, and that the requirements of different Government Departments for the same article or lines would be combined, thus enabling the benefits of bulk buying to be secured. Policy. —It was decided at the beginning that the policy of the Board, would be one of service to all Departments, and that with a view to effecting more economical buying the experience of the buying officers and the organization of the three Purchasing Departments acting in conjunction would be made freely available to all requisitioning Departments. Such an important and farreaching change of policy from a long-established Government practice could not be effected without differences of opinion arising, but the benefits of the new system have now secured general recognition. Practically all stores are now purchased through the Supplies and Tenders Committees, and there can be no question but that considerable savings have been effected. Preliminary Organization. —The preliminary work of organization, such as arranging of details of procedure, designing of forms, and issuing instructions to Departments, &c, naturally fell principally on the Board's Advisory Committee, which commenced operations on the 17th May, 1922. For a considerable time the committee met daily, and still meets at intervals not exceeding one week. This committee considers matters arising out of and incidental to the administration of the Stores Control Board Regulations, and submits recommendations to the Board. The new system came into practical operation about the end. of July, 1922, and within two months was in fair working-order. Over six thousand requisitions have been dealt with by the Supplies and Tenders Committees during the eight months ended 31st March, 1923, and over two hundred contracts arranged for supplies of clothing, bread, meat, milk, &c, for the various institutions under the direct control of Government Departments. Standardization. —It is recognized, however, that the work of the Board is in reality only beginning. The largest savings can and will be effected by the standardization of stores which are used by all Departments. This is now receiving earnest attention, and it is hoped that ere long a number of stores commonly used by a number of or all Departments will have been standardized, and contracts made for supplies, which will result in the saving of many thousands of pounds to the Government.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (525 copies), £2.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 923.

Price 3d.]