File 788/1919 Pt 4 ‘MESOPOTAMIA DISPOSAL OF RIVERCRAFT’ [‎44v] (84/240)

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Non-Ferrous Metals.
S4 At the time of the Armistice a serious position from a sale point of view was created by the
d4. At the f principally brass, which was no longer required for the
enormous quantity £ ‘ h; h P ’ wa3 nevertheless a valuable national asset. It was clearly
” a potnt from an ex hlge point of view to place the scrap on the market and thus obviate the
importation by*manufacturers of corresponding quantities of virgin metals. i rices were according
fixed on the basis of virgin metals, less a reduction to cover cost of conversion into ingots of
material as required conversion, phis a further allowance which was considered sufficient to induce
merchants to use scrap to the fullest possible extent in substitution for virgin metal . A further factor
Tad to be considered arising from the fact that the United States he d large stocks of brass scrap
avfikble for import into this country, and the position here had to be closely watched and prices
regulated accordingly. The sale to Merchants for export was encouraged, and in addition large sales
of scrap were made direct by the Board to Foreign purchasers.
35 The sales of this scrap have been made at a rate commensurate with the full absorptive
capacity of the markets and at prices that may be described as very satisfactory, realising a total of
£13,000,000, and comparatively small quantities now remain for disposal. The approximate tonnage
of the material dealt with amounts to 600,000 tons.
Adaptation of Material to Peace Purposes.
36 The question of the possible adaptation of surplus warlike material, to peace purposes was
considered a matter of great importance. The Minister accordingly appointed a Committee to
investigate the whole subject. The Committee, which was assisted by a number ot expert
sub-committees, held 41 meetings and made a large number of recommendations. Although
many of these recommendations were of a negative character the investigations of the
Committee resulted in a considerable number of positive recommendations which were turned
to profitable account. For example, although the greater part of shells and. shell forgings
had necessarily to be sold for scrap purposes, considerable quantities have been sold at prices substantially
higher than scrap value for the manufacture of tubes, tubular pit props, pipe benders, hydraulic jacks,
disc wheels, cutting tools, standard gauges, flexible couplings, etc.
37. Good results were also obtained by the utilisation for commercial purposes of tank and
aircraft engines, daylight signalling lamps, etc.
Textiles and Leather.
38. The materials thrown up as surplus included a large quantity of khaki cloth and cotton fabric
used for airships and aeroplanes. For a time a serious drop in the cotton market rendered it difficult
to sell cotton material at a satisfactory price. With regard to woollens, however, there was a keen
demand, and in the main, there has been no great difficulty in disposing of such goods to advantage.
39. The main difficulty with all surplus textile items has been their colour. The civilian demand
is not for khaki. Moreover, the made-up clothing being of military pattern is not adaptable for civilian
purposes.
40. The pattern of military boots renders them unpopular for civilian use. One of the difficulties
in disposing of such boots was that the supply consisted chiefly of part-worn goods. The problem to be
considered was whether it would pay to grade the boots by sorting them out into those fit for immediate
wear, those in need of slight repair, and a residue fit for selling as old leather. It was found that this
process of grading resulted in better prices being realised.
41. Surplus military boots have been sold by auction, but in some cases block sales have been
made by private treaty to export houses commissioned to obtain footwear for the peoples of Central
Europe.