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PUBHE RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

▬▬▬▬¶ C.O. 885

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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to observe that tender forms for canned meats are issued to the English agents of Australian packers, and it is understood that, most, if not all, the leading Australian packers are represented in this country. These packers are kept acquainted by their agents with the Admiralty specification, and a price is arranged between the agent and the principal by telegraph, if necessary, and the tender form lodged by the English agent. The Admiralty only purchases meat of approved brands which have previously been tried and found satisfactory, and the meat is supplied under a two years' guarantee that all tins condemned during that period are replaced free of charge. To advertise in Australia, as proposed, would entail delay and possibly result in offers being made of brands either unsuitable for Admiralty requirements or of a quality unknown to the Department.

As a matter of fact, however, my Lords did cause notice of the preserved meat contract to be given by letter of 13th January last. C.P. 296/534, in which they requested that intimation of the anticipated requirements of preserved meats for Navy use might be communicated to the principal Colonial Governments, so that packers who were not already on the Admiralty List, and were desirous and capable of quoting, might make application, submit samples of their brands, and name agents in this country.

Paragraphs 3 to 12 relate chiefly to the War Department, but 7 has previously been touched on, and I am to observe with regard to paragraph 6 that this Department has already furnished to the Colonial Office a list of the Australian firms accepted for meat contracts during three years past, together with a comparative statement of the quantities of preserved meats purchased from Australia and America during the same periodt. (Admiralty letters of the 7th October 1901, C.P. 12161/15812, and of the 27th November 1901, C.P. 13819/18273.)

As regards the statement alluded to by Mr. Barton that goods purporting to be of Australian origin, which were not in fact produced in that country, had been supplied to the War Office authorities in South Africa; it may be observed that the depart- mental rule of dealing direct with manufacturers and producers, or when they live out of the United Kingdom with their sole agents, renders it very improbable that any goods bought by the Admiralty as Australian are not really the produce of that country.

Paragraph 18Of the eight steamers engaged for the conveyance of horses from Australia and New Zealand to the Cape since the Admiralty undertook the work in March 1901, six have belonged to regular Australasian lines, and the other two are vessels specially built for the work, which have already carried horses for the Government with marked success, and were tendered at much lower rates. It may also be observed that whereas in the six liners the average mortality was 6 per cent., and the condition of the horses on arrival was unsatisfactory, the mortality in the only outside ship which has completed her voyage was 2-3 per cent., and the condition on arrival was reported good.

Paragraph 14 relates to the War Department.

Paragraph 15 has stready been discussed, but my Lords would add that they will be very pleased to learn from the Commonwealth Government of the names of any first-rate packer of tinned meats in Australasia who are desirous of being included in

Admiralty List.

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-u Paragraph 16.-Apart from the quantities of Australian preserved meat purchased in this country, large quantities of preserved meat, as well as of salt pork and salt beef, are obtained locally at Sydney for the Australian, China, Caps, and East Indian stations.

My Lords will be glad, if it should hereafter be found possible, as suggested by Mr. Barton, to widen the area of supply of Australian salt beef and pork. The quantities of malt beef and pork stooked at the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard at Deptford are as present, chiefly, obtained, the beef from the United States and the pork from Ireland and Denmark

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277

If Australian cask meat can be put on the home market of a suitable quality after its journey through the tropics, and at reasonable prices, the Admiralty will be glad to give it a trial.

At present, however, my Lords are advised that Australian salt meat in casks has not been satisfactorily placed on the home market.

In conclusion, I am to request that an assurance may be conveyed to the Common- wealth Government that their Lordships will at all times be pleased to be furnished with particulars of any Australian or New Zealand manufacturers or producers who may be able and willing to quote for the supply of stores used in the Royal Navy, and that any applications from such firms will receive their Lordships' most favourable consideration.

20687.

No. 4.

I am, &c.,

EVAN MACGREGOR.

WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received May 27, 1902.)

War Office, London, S.W., May

1902.

SIB,

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st January last, No. 3620/1901-2, enclosing copies of a despatch from the Governor-General of Australia, and of a Minute from his Ministers, on the subject of the supplies of meat, produce, and horses required by the Army and Navy.

The subject is of importance, and has received full and prolonged consideration; nor need Mr. Broderick add that it has been approached with every desire to give effect to the legitimate wishes of the Australian Ministers. But at the same time, the Ministers will understand that, with the great expenditure which the Home Government has to meet, especially at the present moment, economy, in so far as it can be combined with efficiency, must be his first consideration. In final resort the British taxpayer's claims must be paramount.

Looking at the matter from this double point of view, i.a., the desire to foster trade with the Colony, and the necessity for safeguarding the interests of the mother country, I am to make the following, observations on the Minute enclosed in your letter. For purposes of explanation it may be desirable to take the paragraphs of the Minute seriatim →

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Paragraphs 1 and 2.-The first paragraph needs no comment. With regard to the second, in which Mr. Barton emphasises a request that, when contracts are to be entered into,"timely notice" may "be given to enable tenders to be called in Australia and New Zealand," Mr. Brodrick does not know whether any particular contract is alluded to. In the case of the recent large South African contract for meat, timely notice was given, and similar notice will also be given when frozen meat is required at other important stations, such as Malta and Gibraltar, whenever fresh tenders are invited. As regards canned meats the Colonial firms have agents in Great Britain and tender through them, nor after the fullest consideration does the Secretary of State see his way to making other arrangements.

Paragraph 3.-An advantage has recently been given to the Colonies by authorising the issue of frozen mutton twice a week, instead of once, to troops at home stations.

Paragraphs 4, 5, and 6. Mr. Broderick greatly regrets, that there should be any feeling in the Commonwealth that Australian merchants have not received_adequate consideration in connection with contracts for supplies in South Africa. He cannot but think that any such feeling is founded on a misconception as to the amount of the supplies actually obtained from Australian sources. With regard to this, Mr. Brodrick car, if it be so desired, give & list of the total orders given by the War Office to the Cufonies; but in view of the exigendies of motive service it would be quite imposible to call upon the supply officers in South Africa, whose energies are taxed to the utmost, to furnish Hats of local Furchases, distinguishing Australian from other goods. It is on high hits of the kind would be based, and without Very doubted Wether the date which no reliable result could be attained, have in all cases been recorded.

Logosena Frodi9—Mr. Brodrick regrets that he cannot accept the contention that it tenders were invited in Australia great savings would result. Experience has rather shown that where it is announced that the Imperial Government intends to With regard to the contract purchase in the Colony, the traders harden their prices. for the supply of meat to the troops in the early part of the war, it has to be borne in mind that the Australian firms did not, so far as can be ascertained, possess the Rr 2