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shall be prepared to superintend the purchase of all foreign materials required for their construction and equipment, which shall be purchased in the open market at the lowest rate obtainable, it being understood that all such materials shall be of good and satisfactory quality and that the aforesaid Agents will avail themselves of the services of engineering experts to be selected by the Minis- try of Posts and communications for the inspection of such materials........
At equal rates and qualities goods of British, French,German and American manufacture shall be given impartial preference over other goods of foreign origin.
With a view to the encouragement of Chinese industries, preference will be given, at equal prices and qualities, over British, French, German,American or other foreign goods to Chinese materials and goods manufactured in China, such cases being left to the decision, in consultation with the Engineers- in-Chief, of an Inspector appointed by the Ministry of Posts and Communications.
7.
Pukow-Sinyang Railway.
Agreement of November 14, 1913 (Chinese Central Railways Ltd.)
Article XVIII.
The Company will act as Agents of the Railway Administra- tion during construction for the purchase of all materials, plant and goods required to be imported from abroad. For all important-- purchases of such materials tenders shall be called for by the Director General: in the case of all tenders indents and orders for the importation of goods and materials from abroad, the said Agents shall purchase the materials required on the terms most advantageous to the railway, and shall charge the original net cost of the same plus a commission of five per cent. It is under- stood that no orders for materials shall be executed or any ex- penditure incurred without the approval of the Director General to whom the Engineer-in-Chief shall apply for sanction.
In return for payment of commission as above stated the Company shall be prepared to superintend the purchase of all foreign materials required for the construction and equipment of the railway, which shall be purchased in the open market at the lowest rate obtainable, it being understood that all such materials shall be of good and satisfactory quality, and that the Railway Administration shall have the right to reject on arrival in China materials which do not come up to specifications. At equal rates and qualities goods of British manufacture shall be given preference over other goods of foreign origin.
*
With a view to the encouragement of Chinese industries pre- ference will be given, at equal prices and qualities, over Bri. tish or other foreign goods, to Chinese materials and goods mamu- factured in China. No commission will be paid to the Company on purchases of such materials and goods.
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