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i y , "V N - ---- _------- _ bAiURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1918s - F " y -----.._ I i, _ Provmcral Treasurer Brings In Bill for Uniform Buying Department A bill providing for the appoint- ment ot a General Purchasing Agent, with necessary assistants, whose business it'wlll be to purchase all Government supplies for the Pro- Vince of Ontario, was introduced in the Legislature yesterday afternoon by the Hon. T. w. McGarry, Provin- cial Treasurer. The Minister stated .that the object of the measure was ,to provide for uniform purchasing .crf supplies throughout the various l Government departments. Since iConfederation each department and limb-department had made its own (purchases. T I During the past year the Govern- Imerit had made a study of the pur- ifP1.t'intr systems. not only of the ;various Governments in the United {States but also ot big corporations (like the Canadian Pacific Railway. land had adopted the best features of [all these systems. Mr. M( Garry be- Ilieved the measure would have the effect of abolishing patronage evils to a large' extent. All purchases would in future be made after ten- Itiers had been received, except in the lease of minor matters. The ser- ivices of a very able and experienced gman would be required to handle the new work, and it might be neces- sary to pay such a man a fairly large salary. The act will not go :into effect. Mr. McGarry said, until 1'3 suitable man has been found by 5 the' Government. To Kill Patronage Evil. The bill provides for the appoint- ment by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council of a General Purchasing Agent and the necessary assistants. The Purchasing Agent, subject to regulations that may be made. shall purchase for all Government de.. partments of the Province all sta- tionary, furniture, supplies and equipment now or hereafter re- quired to be furnished by the Pro- vince. ' The Lieutenant - Governor in Council may appoint the chief clerk or some other tyfticer in the General Purchasing Agent's office or in the Treasury Department to act as Gen- eral Purchasing Agent in the ab-; sence of the General Purchasing' Agent. l Regulations may he passed by the; Lieutenant-Governor in Council to:' Prescr;be the respective duties of the General Purchasing Agent and assistants. . l .Fiat the forms of and particulars 'to bestated in the requisitions for "supplies and equipment. 1 Prescribe the manner in which, 1Pfsttt otftder by'whom. the re- quisition shall be certified. l Prescribe the manner in which tenders for supplies shall be called for. . Prescribe the books of accounts, registers. tiles and records to bei used. . ' I t Make provision for the carrying ldf. a. stock of stationery and 'guch other supplies as may be advisable. The act will come into force on and after a day to be named by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council in Ihis proclamation.