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standard grades. Trading interests have expressed their desire to work towards the general adoption of the standard grades under the aegis of the Standard Mark, and discussions have been held to determine how the benefits of standardization can best be gained by all concerned. While reviewing the existing specification for grades of meat for the local market, the Meat Grades Committee considered the recommendation of the Meat Supplies Commission that provision be made for a super grade of beef. It was decided, however, that the introduction of such a grade would not be advantageous at the present time. The specifications were extended to provide for further cuts and joints and for a classification of carcasses according to weight ranges. Further attention has been given to the question of bread weights and in particular to the best method of specifying the minimum weights of split loaves. The Bread Approvals Committee continued to examine applications from bakers for recognition of special breads. Household Equipment The Carpet Sweepers Committee, the Mincers Committee, the Pressed Steel Household Utensils Committee, and the Dustbins Committee have each met during the year. The series of standard specifications relating to kitchen equipment has been extended by the issue of a further specification for mincers, bean slicers, and juice extractors. Specifications have also been recommended for carpet sweepers and for pressed steel and enamelled pressed steel utensils and kitchen sinks. School Stationery and Requisites Sectional Committee The standard specification relating to school stationery was reviewed, and the provision permitting the use of a lower grade of paper than that normally used (introduced because of the shortage of suitable paper during the war period) was deleted. There had been several amendments to the* standard since it was first issued in March, 1942, and the opportunity was taken to consolidate these. The specification was reissued in a revised form. A draft standard specification for school rulers has been recommended for issue as Part lof the standard specification for school requisites. Two types of rulers have been specified, one with simple gradations and the other with more detailed markings. The work of both teachers and pupils will be made easier by having uniform rulers. PRIMARY INDUSTRY STANDARDS Tillage Machinery Parts. —The urgent need for standardization of the wearing parts of agricultural machinery was confirmed by a panel which met to discuss exploratory work which had been carried out in this sphere. Priority is to be given to plough shears and heads. Milk Bottles. —A proposed specification denning the shapes of bottles, their capacity, and fhe thickness and quality of glass, has been recommended for issue. Dairy Sectional Committee The Dairy Products and Kequisites Committee has continued to work in close collaboration with the corresponding committees of the British Standards Institution with the object of adopting uniform dairy standards throughout the British Commonwealth. Other committees and panels have studied methods for estimating the copper and iron content of butter (standard methods have now been approved for issue), and the possibility of adopting one method of carrying out the reductase test on milk. Draft standards are being circulated for alkaline cleaners and for milk and cream cans.

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