244
278
organisation or other facilities indispensable for dealing efficiently, and at short notice, with the quantities required to be delivered to, troops disseminated over vast districts in a hostile country. Immediate action, and action on a very large scale, was imperative.
Paragraphs 8 and 10.-Mr. Brodrick has no knowledge of the communication believed to have been addressed to Lord Kitchener as to the relative cost of supplies to the Army of the United States in the Philippine Islands, and to the Army in South Africa. It may, however, be remarked that the conditions both of supply and distribution differ widely, and no fair comparison can be made."
Paragraphs 9 and 10.-Mr. Brodrick would always be glad to consider any proposals of the kind. But it is to be observed that the offer at the price quoted-63d. per lb. of frozen meat, ex storeship-would not be advantageous. Under the contract now expiring 7d. per lb. was paid for frozen meat distributed throughout South Africa, and under the new contract, the price per lb., again so distributed, will be under 51d.
Paragraph 11.-It is greatly regretted that there should be any feeling that the offer of horses was not fully considered. Such was not the case; the matter was considered, but the responsible officer did not recommend the purchase of the horses here in question. Apart from this, upwards of 22,500 horses have been obtained from Australia to the end of January last.
Paragraphs 12, 13, and 14.-The c.i.f. shipments, i.e., shipments at a cost covering the cost of horses, insurance, and freight, were not abandoned without trial. Ship- ments on these conditions were recommended at one time by Colonel Hunt, but the complaints from South Africa were so numerous that they had to be abandoned in favour of the f.o b., i.e., free on board shipments. The suggestion in paragraph 13 as to the employment of "regular traders rather than occasional tramp steamers will be referred to the Transport Department of the Admiralty, which manages such matters for the War Office.
39
Paragraphs 15 and 16.-These mainly affect the Admiralty. It may be noted, however, that very considerable portions of the supplies required by the Army in South Africa have been obtained from Australia.
In conclusion, I am to repeat that Mr. Secretary Brodrick has every desire to encourage Australian produce so far as he can do so legitimately, and with due regard to the interests of the British taxpayer, and that he will always be ready to give full, and indeed sympathetic, consideration to any suggestion that may be made with a view to increasing the volume of Army supplies to be obtained from Australian
sources.
He will be glad, whenever an occasion arises, of consulting the Ministers as to the best way of carrying these wishes into effect.
I am, &c.,
20687.
No. 5.
E. W. D. WARD.
24926.
279
No. 6.
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received June 20, 1902.)
War Office, London, S.W., June 20, 1902.
SIE,
IN further reference to your letter of the 11th instant, No. 20687/1902, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to forward, for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, the following approximate totals of the amounts of meat, grain, and horses obtained from Australia, New Zealand, and Canada during the war, viz. :-
Preserved meit
Hay
Osts
Horses
35299/01.
Supply.
Australia.
New Zealand.
Canada.
205,000 tons.
17,000 tons.
28,000,000 lbs.
196,800 tons.
404,000 tons.
1,700,000 lbs.
21,458
1,422
18,612
I am, &c.
No. 7.
G. FLEETWOOD WILSON.
LIST of AUSTRALIAN FIRMS accepted for ARMY MEAT CONTRACTS during the Three Years 1898-1900.
1900.
Sydney Meat Preserving Sydney Meat Preserving
Company.
Company.
Sydney Meat Preserving
Company.
1892.
1899.
Preserved beef
Australian Meat Company Ellis Bedford.
Australian Meat Com-
pany.
Australian Meat Com-
pany.
Preserved matton
Corned beef
R. and W. Davidson
-
Warrington Laing,
Salt beef at Sydney
Queensland Meat Ex-
port Company.
Queensland Meat Ex-
port Company.
Salt pork at Sydney
Clarencetown Caring Com- Clarencetown
Company. pany.
Curing
Clarencetown
Company.
Coring
• No. 5.
SIB,
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
Downing Street, June 11, 1902.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge the receipt of your letter on the subject of obtaining supplies for the Army from Australia.
2. Mr. Chamberlain will not fail to communicate a copy of your letter to the Governor-General of Australia, for the information of his Ministers, but, before doing so, he would be much obliged if he could be furnished with the approximate total of the amount of meat, grain, and horses obtained from Australia and New Zeeland and Canada during the war. If Mr. Brodrick considers that such a return omanot be supplied, Mr. Chamberlain would be glad to receive a list of the orders given by the "War Office to the Australian Colonies and Canada during the last two yukrs.
a
I am, do.
1. L. bah
É. BERTRAM COM
ad.
- zat ne lon bib ami
* 1
Br 8
PUB RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TEC.O. 885
8.
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
873
awesome trok ngabe)
.៥រ
219** 3**
incessor()
-Canlani."
1 w