§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that America has underbidden Australia for the whole of the War Office contract for 1,500,000 tins of beef; and, if the contract has not been placed, whether he will consider the desirability of spending the money within the Empire and thus seeming the transport of the goods in British ships?
§ Commodore KINGThe contract referred to was placed in January last and no further orders are in contemplation at the moment. The reason for not accepting Empire meat was given in my right hon. Friend's reply on 15th February last. I understand that the meat is being shipped in British vessels.