H—44a

Furniture Household Furniture Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Household Furniture Executive Committee .. .. .. Two meetings. Government Office Furniture Committee .. .. .. Three meetings. Bedding Mattresses Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Household Furniture.—Some minor amendments were made to the standard specification for household furniture, arising from consideration of comments received from interested parties. Consideration was also given to the formulation of a standard specification for the preservative treatment of furniture timbers in order to afford protection against insect and fungi attack in a way that would not impair surface polish and finish. After initial investigation, arrangements were made for samples of preservatives to be tested in actual use as a basis for further deliberation. Government Office Furniture. —Part I, Tables and Desks, of this proposed standard specification was reviewed and revised in the light of the comments received as a result of its circulation, and it was recommended for issue in the Government purchasing series. A further part of the specification, relating to desk chairs and casual-interview chairs, was completed to the draft stage. Bedding Mattresses.—Good progress was made with the drafting of a standard specification for bedding mattresses which, by establishing minimum requirements in relation to such factors as quality of ticking, filling and sewing materials, tufting, and. workmanship, will supplement the standard for household furniture. Footwear Sectional Committee (Three meetings) Slippers Committee .. .. .. .. .. One meeting. Slippers Panel . . .. .. .. .. .. One meeting. Canvas and Rubber Footwear Committee .. .. .. One meeting. Gum Boots Committee .. .. .. .. .. One meeting. Footwear Survey Advisory Panel .. .. .. .. Two meetings. Parent Committee. —In addition to supervising and directing the work being carried out under its control, the parent committee gave careful attention to the existing standard specifications for footwear, which, in the light of experience of their use, were revised and consolidated into one comprehensive document in a way that will facilitate the use of its provisions and of the Standard Mark in relation to almost all classes and types of footwear. All reference to the pre-welt method of sole attachment was deleted, as it was not considered to be a suitable type of construction to bear the Standard Mark. Slippers.—At the request of a manufacturing interest, minimum requirements relating to men's and women's woolly-lined slippers are being formulated for incorporation in the standard specification for footwear. * They will specify the quality of the uppers, linings, and bottoms, the method of sole attachment, workmanship, and finish. Canvas and Rubber Footwear. —A draft standard specification for canvas and rubber footgear, which stipulates requirements deemed adequate to ensure satisfactory service and performance, was recommended for circulation to affected interests for review and comment. Rubber Footwear. —The draft standard specifications for goloshes and rubber boots, including gum boots, referred to in the last report, were revised in the light of comments, received during their circulation, and recommended for adoption as standard specifications. They will establish minimum requirements which will ensure that footwear conforming to them will be of the high standard which has come to be associated with New Zealand manufacture in this industry.

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