Cement For New Guinea

THERE has been quite a row in official circles in Australia because the Ad ministration of New Guinea in June last bought 1,000 casks of Japanese cement.

Labour members of the Commonwealth Parliament have been asking Federal ministers why the Administration bought the Japanese instead of the Australian product.

Sir George Pearce, the responsible minister, said that quotations, closing on June 26, were invited, but that no brand of cement was specified. The only quo tations submitted were for Japanese and Danish cement, and the Administration ordered “Onoda” cement at 9/5| per cask, c.i.f.e., Rabaul.

Then members asked the name of the newspaper in which the Government notice was published inviting the quota tions.

The Minister said that tenders were not called, but quotations were invited by the N.G. Administration. Probably, con tinued the Minister, the importers dealing in this commodity in Rabaul were invited to submit prices.

Senator Collings (Queensland): The cement interests in Australia were not aware of the matter.

The Minister: They could not have sup plied it, in any case.