Although his letter on this paint is of the 30th of October, clear on this last point is not said. It is no doubt possible to obtain lower quotations in almost any case, but considering the difficulty of inspection in the purchase of drugs, I should be inclined to infer that security as to quality is not dearly purchased by an increase of ten per cent or even more on prices at the same time. I am quite prepared to reconsider the point if you or your advisers see fit to share my view.
For chemicals, the firm Argenti informs me that they deal with the best wholesale houses in this country on the express condition that these firms allow them the very best export terms. Mr. Frow states that the government paid 17½% more for Mr. Hicks' thermometers, exclusive of the frames and Agent's commission, than would have been paid if the stores had been obtained direct from the manufacturer. I am told by the Agents that they purchased the thermometers direct from Mr. Hicks and that they have now called upon him for an explanation, which is to the following effect. The list price of the thermometers in question is 60/- a dozen, and the manufacturer took off 20 percent, which...