§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office, when recently calling for tenders for preserved beef, selected a time for the delivery of tenders which rendered it impossible for Australian firms to compete; has the War Office, in reply to representations made on behalf of the Australian canners, declined to alter the date fixed; whether Australian preserved meats have ever been viewed with suspicion; whether the method of inspection of Australian preserved meat has been favourably reported on by the officer sent out by the War Office to visit the canning works; and will he direct that in future the time selected for tenders shall not be such as must necessarily give the contracts to American firms and preclude Australia from competing.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The War Office have to issue tenders for preserved meat according to their requirements at the time. In the ease under comment the date for delivery of the tenders could not have been altered without seriously interfering with the turnover of the stocks held as reserves. Australian preserved meat is not viewed with suspicion. The officer sent to visit the 907 Australian canning works has not returned to this country, and no Report has been received from him. The time selected for issue of tenders must be governed by War Department requirements, but every endeavour will be made to meet the convenience of the "Australian market as far as it is possible to do so.