H— 44A.

duplication of effort which otherwise would quite unnecessarily absorb the time and effort of competent people in the different spheres and activities covered by these documents. Pertinent to this aspect of Standards activity are the recommendations contained in a report by Sir Alexander Roger on the findings of the British Supply Mission which, early in 1941, made an exhaustive investigation of Australia's war effort. These recommendations are recorded in the Australian Manufacturer of 20th September, 1941, as follows " (1) Closer relationship between design, which is the responsibility of the Army ; and production, which is in the hands of engineers. * * * * * " (4) Interchange of ideas, processes, drawings, and specifications between manufacturers of munitions in countries within the Empire. " (B) Substitution of materials more readily available for those in short supply. " (6) The adoption of the simplest processes to obtain maximum production." These recommendations could be effectively carried out only with the aid of standards procedure. The valued co-operation and assistance which has characterized relationships with overseas standards organizations during previous years has continued. Full appreciation and acknowledgment should be recorded in recognition of the valuable assistance obtained from the various documents, publications, and general information received from the following organizations : — British Standards Institution. Canadian Engineering Standards Association. Standards Association of Australia. South African Standards Institution. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (Australia). American Standards Association. American Society for Testing Materials. U.S. Department of Agriculture (Consumers' Counsel Division). U.S. Treasury (Procurement Division). National Electrical Manufacturers' Association (U.S.A.) Pacific Coast Building Officials Conference. Society of Automotive Engineers (U.S.A.). British, Australian, and United States Draft, Standard, and War Emergency Specifications to a total number of three hundred and forty-seven (347) were received during the year, as shown in the following tables:—

Draft Standard Specifications.

Standard Specifications.

War Emergency Standard Specifications.

4

p , American u a . Australia. Standards Totals. Britain. , ... Association. Draft Standards received .. .. .. 38 4 1 43 Draft Standards circulated for comment by affected 30 4 1 34 interests Considered unsuitable for adoption as New Zealand 1 .. .. 1 Standards Still under consideration .. .. .. 37 4 1 42

V Britain Australia. Totals. Standards received .. .. .. .. .. 60 10 70 Standards circulated for comment by affected interests 53 5 58 Unsuitable for New Zealand .. . . .. .. 1 4 5 Still under consideration .. .. .. .. .. 59 6 65

Great Amorican Britain Australia. Standards Totals. Association. Standards received .. .. .. .. 85 149* 2 236 Circulated for comment by affected interests .. 85 14 2 101 Adopted as New Zealand Standards .. .. 21 .. .. 21 Considered unsuitable for New Zealand .. .. 25 .. .. 25 Still under consideration .. .. .. 39 135 2 176 * Mostly British Standards adopted as Australian Standards.