H—ll

Rejected — An automatic packing and weighing machine of 3 lb. capacity designed to weigh gross quantities only. Under review— Self-indicating counter scale of 2 lb. capacity. Self-indicating dial overhead track carcass-weigher of 1,000 lb. capacity. Self-indicating dial crane-weigher of I,ooolb. capacity. Liquid flowmeter for large bulk deliveries. An automatic packing and weighing machine. Length-measuring instrument for the measurement of bolts of various woollen materials. It is an offence under the Weights and Measures Act, 1925, to sell less than the quantity demanded of or represented by the* seller, while under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908, every person commits an offence who sells any bread the weight of which at the time of sale is less than the seller represents it to be or is less than the weight which the buyer demands. The Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908, also provides that every person who sells any loaf weighing at the time of sale less than 4 lb. but more than 3 lb. shall be deemed to represent that it weighs 4 lb. unless he states its true weight to the buyer at the time of sale. In a similar way a loaf that is less than 2 lb. but more than 1 lb. is deemed to be represented to be 2 lb. unless the true weight is disclosed. When this measure was enacted, loaves of 2 lb. or 4 lb. were the rule, but in recent years loaves of ] lb. or less have been offered in increasing quantities. In addition, departure from standard class had been accepted in respect of " fancy bread " —that is, bread that was obviously and analytically different from ordinary bread— also bread where by reason of the ingredients and/or process of baking the cost of production was increased to such an extent as to warrant special treatment in regard to weight. During the year an Emergency Standard Specification (N.Z.S.S. E. 82), drawn up with a view to effecting savings in materials, equipment, and man-power, was issued. In the matter of weight the specification contains a requirement that bread, irrespective of its composition, weigh not less than a specified or approved weight. For bread generally it is provided that every loaf shall weigh not less than 21b., but in respect of loaves baked in the form of a split loaf the weight is lib. 12 oz., while special bread —i.e., bread manufactured to a special formula or process and approved as special bread — shall be of approved weights. Raised pan loaves and sandwich loaves may, however, be not less than 4 lb. There is provision for approval of a shape in substitution for the long tin loaf or the split loaf, but any such loaf substituted for the split loaf shall weigh not less than 14 oz. and not more than 1 lb. 2 oz. The Breadmaking Industry Control Order 1943 (Serial number 1943/33, also amendments 1943/37 and 1943/198) provides that bread over 3 oz. in weight shall not be kept for sale or sold except in accordance with the specification. As a protection for the purchaser it is also provided that a notice be exhibited showing the classes of bread baked and kept for sale, together with their respective weights. In addition, it is required that the notice contain a reminder to the purchaser that a 2 lb. white or wholemeal loaf must be supplied on demand or within a time-limit. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION The twenty-sixth session of the International Labour Conference met in Philadelphia, United States of America, from 20th April until 12th May, 1944, the following being the agenda :— I. Future policy, programme, and status of the International Labour Organization. 11. Recommendations to the United Nations for present and post-war social policy. 111. The organization of employment in the transition from war to peace. IV. Social Security : Principles, and problems arising out of the war. V. Minimum standards of social policy in dependent territories. VI. Reports on the application of Conventions (Article 22 of the Constitution). VII. Director's Report. New Zealand was represented by a delegation of four, as under (the Hon. Mr. Na.di was elected President of the Conference) : — Delegates representing the Government — The Hon. Walter Nash, New Zealand Minister to the United States of America. Mr. E. B. Taylor, Assistant Secretary, Department of Labour. Delegate representing the workers of New Zealand — Mr. F. C. Allerby, Secretary of the New Zealand Road Transport and Motor and Horse Drivers and their Assistants' Industrial Association of Workers. Delegate representing the employers of New Zealand — Mr. H. F. Butland, Secretary of the Canterbury Employers' Association. At the date of preparation of this report the text of the decisions of the Conference had not been received in this country. However, there is attached hereto as an insert the " Philadelphia Charter" : — " PHILADELPHIA CHARTER " The General Conference of the International Labour Organization, meeting in its Twenty-sixth Session in Philadelphia, hereby adopts, this tenth day of May in the year nineteen hundred and forty-four, the present Declaration of the aims and purposes of the International Labour Organization and of the principles which should inspire the policy of its Members. The Conference reaffirms the fundamental principles on which the Organization is based and, in particular, that— (a) Labour is not a commodity : (6) Freedom of expression and of association are essential to sustained progress : (c) Poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere : (d) The war against want requires to bo carried on with unrelenting vigour within each nation, and by continuous and concerted international effort in which the representatives of workers and employers, enjoying equal status with those of Governments, join with them in freo discussion and democratic decision with a view to the promotion of the common welfare. II Believing that experience has fully demonstrated tho truth of the statement in the Constitution of the International Labour Organization that lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice, the Conference affirms that (a) All human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material wellbeing and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity : (b) The attainment of the conditions in which this shall be possible must constitute the central aim of national and international policy :

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