55

A.—7

APPENDIX VII.

SUPPLIES OF MEAT, PRODUCE, AND HORSES, REQUIRED BY THE WAR OFFICE AND ADMIRALTY, FROM AUSTRALIA. List of Papers.

No. 1. Governor-General Lord Hopetoun to Mr. Chamberlain. (Eeceived January 27, 1902.) Sir, — Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne, 19th December, 1901. Adverting to your despatch of the 18th October last, I have now the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a minute which I have received from my Eesponsible Advisers, on the subject of the supplies of meat, produce, and horses, required by the War Office and the Admiralty, from Australia. I have, &c, Hopetoun, Governor-General.

Enclosure in No. 1. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of External Affairs. (Minute for His Excellency the Governor-General.) Mr. Barton presents his humble duty to Your Excellency, and has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the despatch from the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the IBth October, 1901, on the subject of the supplies of preserved meat obtained by the Admiralty and War Office, which was transmitted by Your Excellency on the 20th November last. 2. In connection with this despatch, Mr. Barton would be glad if Your Excellency would refer to your despatch (to which it is an answer) requesting that, in case of contracts to be entered into by the Admiralty and the War Office, timely notice should be given to enable tenders to be called in Australia and New Zealand. 3. Mr. Barton observes, with satisfaction, the letter from the War Office in which the Secretary of State for the Colonies is advised that every possible consideration will be given to the wishes of the Governor-General of Australia. It is not, however, stated what steps had been taken, and what changes in the existing methods had been made or were in contemplation, in order to carry out that intention. 4. Mr. Barton regrets to say that there exists throughout the Commonwealth a feeling that our merchants have not received adequate consideration from the authorities in connection with the letting of contracts for supplies required for use in connection with the war in South Africa. 5. Mr. Barton has the honour to enclose, for the information of Your Excellency, a copy of a letter which has been received from a number of firms in Sydney who represent exporting interests. He has received several verbal representations to the same effect as those contained in the letter, and strongly worded articles have appeared in the public Press from time to time drawing attention to what is referred to as the indifference shown by the War Office to the interests of Australian producers. 6. Mr. Barton would be glad if the Secretary of State for the Colonies were asked to request the War Office to supply him with information as to the extent of the purchases of supplies from Australian firms. He would also be obliged if the goods purchased from firms in Australia can be clearly distinguished from those of goods alleged to be Australian, but purchased from firms in South Africa and elsewhere, as it has been publicly stated that goods have been supplied to the War Office authorities in South Africa which were represented as Australian, but which, as a fact, were not the produce of this country. 7. It is further represented to Mr. Barton that if tenders for supplies as required could be called in Australia, that system would lead to a great saving in the amounts to be paid by the War Office. The large profits said to have been made by business trading firms in South Africa, in connection with the supply of Australian meat, have been freely commented upon in mercantile

Document. Date. 1. Governor-General Lord Hopetoun to Mr. Chamberlain 2. To War Office and Admiralty 3. Admiralty 4. List of Australian Firms accepted for Navy Meat Contracts during the three vears 1898-1900 5. War Office 6. To War Office 7. War Office No. 140.—December 19, 1901. ceived January 27, 1902.). January 31, 1902. May 18, 1902. (Re(Eeceived May 27, 1902). June 11, 1902. June 20, 1902.