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stock, which has been the subject of voluminous correspondence, and of an iron verandah for the Straits Settlements. I do not pretend to be able to Pp. 50-56. express any opinion on these intricate disputes.
133-135.
FAULTY PACKING and BREAKAGES are referred to by several Colonies. Hong Kong gives several in- stances. It seems impossible to make out who (if Pp. 24, 154, anyone) is to blame in these cases, which are, however, 158.
of much rarer occurrence than might be expected.
To sum up.
The total number of complaints worthy of con- sideration is, considering the size and complexity of the Crown Agents' business, wonderfully small, and the general impression given is that their office is thoroughly, and indeed remarkably, efficient.
Many of these complaints are satisfactorily met. Nevertheless delay is certainly frequent.
The blame for this and any other difficulties that may occur rests nearly always with the contractora.
I believe that Sir F. Swettenham comes most P. 46. nearly to the root of the matter when he writes "It is felt that the Crown Agents occupy a position which is not exactly that of an Agent of the Colony, but rather of an independent authority prepared to execute the orders of the Colonial Government, with considerable limitations, and that is the main cause of Colonial complaints."
There is undoubted, though often unexpressed, irritation felt by many Colonial officials with the Crown Agents, caused, I believe, as follows.
These officials are frequently hampered and delayed, perhaps sometimes blamed, owing to delays in the supply of goods, and occasionally, though much more rarely, through mistakes or faulty packing.
Naturally they want to get at the person respon- sible, and to ensure so far as possible that the same misfortune shall not recur. They find, however, the Crown Agents disclaiming all blame, but, nevertheless, standing as a permanent buffer between them and the peccant contractor or shipper. The Colonial officials feel that the Agents, with whom alone they deal, should be held responsible to them; but they have no way of making them feel the responsibility, and are correspondingly exasperated.
-***
A. It appears to me that the only way of avoiding And see
thấu friction is for more responsibility to be thrown on par.7, p. 49.
the Colony. An obvious suggestion is to reduce the
Crown 4gants to the position of agents pure and 24 k
simple, obeying the orders of the Colony, the control
of the Secretary of State being only exercised through
the Governor, except in enak muttern so pornkiing
anitiesctors, or taking other wodon which might Sos 8, p. 75.
Verbal
5
indirectly affect other Colonies by making firms less willing to tender. But I apprehend that no question arises of such a reversal of previous decisions.
But the Crown Agents are prepared, if so instructed discussion. by any Colony, to refrain from placing orders with particular firms so far as that Colony is concerned. would suggest that whenever a complaint is caused by the failures of a contractor, the Agents should specifically ask the Colony whether or not they are to deal with that firm on their behalf again.
P. 15.
Pp. 108-
111.
P. 78.
P. 153.
P. 153.
Pp. 2.87.
53 P. 87.
54 P. 87..
55 P. 88. 37 P. 82. P. 137.
Verbal
If the Colonial Governments know that their in- structions to avoid an offending firm will be followed, there should be no more complaints that it is neces- sary to fight both the Crown Agents and the Contractor.'
B. The question of increased uniformity is already receiving much attention, e.g. :—
G
Indents,
Limit of excess on estimate,
Cement,
Stationery.
Standardisation
11
is also involved (Why should
not Gibraltar have arranged for a standard, instead of
a special size for a kitchen range ?).
C. The Crown Agents do not blow their own trumpet loudly enough. When they supply goods up to time and at low price, nothing is heard of it; but any
mistake will be made the most of by the Colonial Department concerned. A private firm takes care that its regular customers are kept well informed of its merits.
I would suggest that the Crown Agents should publish some kind of an annual handbook, which might contain a general account of work done in the year, notes on special cases (e.g., the boats for the Ashanti expedition, the Wushishi tramway, the Transvaal stationery, the cement for Ceylon, extracts from the Hong Kong Report on Public Works Department, etc.), trade information, suggestions for co-operation by Colonial Governments, and general self-advertise-
ment.
I understand, however, that with their present discussion. staff and accommodation the labour required could
not be spared.
3
I have refrained from reference to the numerous commendations of the Crown Agents Office con- tained in this correspondence. It would of course be absurd to suppose that such a business could always get the lowest prices, the very best goods, or attain perfection in any respect: but after doing my best to.. pick holes in their defence I feel that it will be difficult for any similar organisation to approach. much nearer that end.
12th September, 1902.
J.F.N.G..
Page 180Page 181
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE"
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Oth
Mr. Lucas,
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As to Mr. Green's minute on the Crown Agents, agree with his suggestion in first paragraph of the penultimate page [first paragraph on page 5], but I should also like to instruct the Crown Agents more freely to exact penalties from defaulting contractors.
As to the paragraph marked A at the bottom of the last page but two in his minute [page 4], I should strongly deprecate altering the present rule under which the Crown Agents do not comply with the requisitions without reference to this office, unless the proper authority for the expenditure is written on the requisition (see Col. Reg. 272, 273). This rule does not involve the Secretary of State exercising any control over the Crown Agents, but is a necessary part of the control which he exercises over the In fact I do not government of Crown Colonies.
understand in what way the Crown Agents could be converted to the position of agents pure and simple more than they are at present.
September 22nd.
The chief complaints preferred are:--
1. Delay in the execution of orders.
G. W. J.
2. Quality of articles, faulty packing, mistakes, departure from instructions, &c.
8. Price.
Of these three the first is the only one which is the subject of pretty general complaint.
Mr. Green has already analysed the various com plaints and I will only add one or two suggestions in as few words as possible.
t
Delays. Under this head I should refer first to one page 29. Jamaica case which is mentioned where a delay of 11 days occurred in this office. The requisition in question was received on the 15th of March, it was minuted on the 16th and sent to the sub-registry for and the draft appears not to have been till the 26th of March on which day it was passed and the letter signed and sent off, I usually look through a mail when it comes in and give priority to all requisitions and I have now arranged that they, shall in future, always be put in green." Domestic letters are almost always dealt with at once, but a similar course will be pursued in future with requisitions referred to us by the Crown Agents. ¦ I agree, however, with what I understand you would See par. 7 suggest, vis;, thas any requisition for a regular service of Orown kiril Knot be referred to the Secretary of State in Agenta, fater even though legal provision may not as yet: April, p. 75 have been actually made for it. Ordinary annual and p. 97. réguillitioni ars' frequently sent home in anticipation par. 14. of the 'passing of the fiuginates, and have indir the ount Colonial Regulation on the subject, tel be: rred bird. *.
This might perhaps be made a general rule.-A.
TP.
letter of 7
7
This will necessitate an amendment of the Colonial Regulations.
I may observe in this connection that in the case of some Colonies unnecessary delay has not infrequently been caused by the Governors sending requisitions direct to the Crown Agents which ought to have gone through the Secretary of State.
Stock Articles and Standard sizes to be ordered and bought when possible.
The suggestions on this subject by the Jamaica Government pages 30 and 31 and by the Crown Agents paragraph 94 of their letter of 7th April p. 94, and in their letter of 30th July, p. 153, might be adopted as generally as possible. See also pp. 56 and 73, par. 51 p. 85, par. 59 pp. 86 and 87, and par. 78 90 and P.
153. p.
In
any case of anticipated delay the Colony should be informed as soon as possible. I do not think this is always done now. (See in this connection par. 29 p. 80) and this should also be done in all cases and not merely "usually " when estimates have to be exceeded (par. 53 p. 98), except in the case of very small excesses or of requisitions of a trifling nature.
All Colonies should also, as some do, discriminate between really urgent requisitions and others, see par.
05
p. 88, and par. 150 pp. 105 and 106.
87 and
The suggestions recently made by the Crown Agents as to requisitions (see par. 61 P. enclosure A. in Crown Agents' letter of 7th April) should also tend to minimise delays if strictly followed out.
Quality, &c.
1 '
In proportion to the immense business of the Crown Agents .g., see par. 38, p. 82, the bona fide complaints are comparatively few. They come mainly from Jamaica and the Straits. The only suggestions can offer on this point I offer with diffidence as there. may be objections to their adoption of which I am
unaware.
(1) That the names of the firms on the Crown Agents list and of their Agents and Inspectors as well de those of their Consulting Engineers, should be supplied annually to the Colonies.
(2) That any Colony should be allowed to object to be supplied by any particular firm, and also in any special case, and for special reasons which should be stated, should be allowed to select the firm to be employed, and to suggest but not select the engage- ment of a spécial officer or the name of a specialist to He consulted (see pp. 49 and 75).
.0 The Calony might also, be allowed on its own responsibility in any case of urgency to request that inspection may be waived (see par. 26 p. 80, top of p. 155, and p. 159).