H.—44 A,

1942. NE W ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND STANDARDS COUNCIL. (DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.) ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1941-42.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by leave.

The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the New Zealand Standards Council for the year ended 31st March, 1942. I have, &c., L. J. Schmitt, Permanent Head, Department of Industries and Commerce. A. R. Galbraith, M.lnst.C.E., F.R.S.E., Chairman, New Zealand Standards Council. L. J. McDonald, Secretary, New Zealand Standards Council.

REPORT. In order to conserve paper and resources, in accordance with the general policy that has been adopted to satisfy the exigencies of war conditions, this report of the Standards Council for the year ending 31st March, 1942, appears in condensed form omitting references to personnel of the Council and other than general particulars of activities of the Committees. The Standards Act. i Since the last annual report was presented the Standards Act, 1941, has been enacted and the functions of the standards organization are now carried out in accordance with the provisions of this statute. Meetings op Committees. One hundred and fifty-two (152) meetings of the various committees were held during the year. This exceeds the number that has taken place during any previous year, in addition to which there have been very many conferences and other consultations as alternatives to formal committee meetings. In common with other Empire countries and the United States of America, this procedure has been adopted in order to expedite the formulation of War Emergency Standards, for which there has been heavy and urgent demand, while at the same time preserving the principle of necessary consultation and collaboration with Government authorities and other substantially interested parties. War Emergency Standards. Seventy (70) War Emergency Standards have been completed. These are listed in detail in a later section of this report. The object and purpose of these Standards is to specify the classes and qualities of material and commodities to be used in the production of essential goods of a defined type. This represents the only effective means of preventing the use of essential materials in proportions, or for purposes, including a wasteful redundancy in types, which would amount to a dissipation of our resources that would impede the war effort.