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By Mr. Master.-Is a private firm of architects or engineers able to get better tenders for big work than the Government ?
A-I think we are.
Q-Take the Law Courts, for instance; supposing the Government had called for plans or competitive designs for that building, with the promise that the successful firm would have the doing of the work, do you consider that that work would be done properly for a less sum, including the overseers employed by the Government ?
So.
A-Yes, I think so. I cannot explain why it should be, but I think it would be
Q-Supposing the Government were to stop its present system and give out the work to private firms, would private firms then take steps to get efficient overseers--a different class of men to what
have now you
?
A-It is not our business; on any big job at home you employ an overseer, but it is the client's business to pay him.
Q-Put aside the question of cost as regards efficient supervision, could the pri- vate firm get as efficient supervision as Government, or not?
A-No, certainly not.
Q-Not even if you have big works and you send home?
A-The only way would be to get duly qualified men, and in the case of a job lasting several years. You have got to make an agreement with the man to come out, or two men, and it is simply for that job. No one comes ont to this place unless they have some reason for coming out, and that class of man would not come out.
Q-Say, for instance, a big engineering or architectural work were placed in the hands of a private firm ?
A-If they said you have got to superintend this, we should get a man out from home to do it.
Q-But as regards the tender, do you think a private firm would give a lower ten- der for the work than it could be done for by the Government ?
1490
A-Yes.
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Q-A considerable saving?
A-I should say there would be.
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Q-More than the difference between the Government Executive Engineer's and the architect's and overseer's ?
*
A-That is if the Public Works overseers were employed.
Q-And do you think the work would be done as efficiently?
A-Yes.
By the Chairman.—Mr. LEIGH has told us that, speaking generally, Govern- ment work is better than that of private firms. Is that so?
A-Yes, on account of the supervision it is generally better.
Q-And may that not account for the prices being somewhat higher ?
A-Yes, but leaving that apart, the Chinaman has the idea that for Government work he should be better paid-he should make more out of it.
Q-Do you think it is because Government insists upon his doing better work? A-Yes, I think that has something to do with it, but not everything.