STANDARDISATION IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22195, 11 September 1937, Page 4

STANDARDISATION IN N.Z.

BIG SAVINGS THOUGHT POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS DISCUSSED BY INSTITUTE (PRESa ASSOCIATION TELIORAM.) WELLINGTON, September 10. "I have no doubt that hundreds of thousands of pounds a year could be saved if the principles of standardisation could be applied to our local body purchases and to our building bylaws," said the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), at a conference in Wellington at the New Zealand Standards Institute. "I have no desire to indulge in exaggeration, but experiences abroad support my belief that very substantial economies could be effected if the principle of standardisation were applied to the whole of New Zealand's trade and industry." The Mmister said that Sir George Julius, chairman of the Scientific and Industrial Research Council of Australia, had mentioned to him m a conversation, that he considered it impossible for the industrial life of New Zealand to be placed on an adequately sound foundation unless a beginning were made by placing the organisation of standards in the forefront of sctivitv Mr Sullivan claimed that the success of the standards organisation, with 53 committees at work, had been phenomenal. He felt certain that they would all appreciate the work that had been done. Standardised Fittings "There is no reason," continued Mr Sullivan, "why sewer pipes should not be ordered on a basis of a uniform set of sizes and specifications for the whole Dominion. The same applies to sanitary and drainage equipment and water fittings to name but a few classes of the multiplicity of requirements in our public and private services. Further there is no good reason why the quantities and classes of timber or other materials used in building construction should vary as they do from province to province, and from town to town. If 10 per cent, or 20 per cent more timber is used in our buildings in Wellington than is used in Auckland or in any other city, either the building requirements m the one place are inadequate or the extra material used in the other represents an economic waste which cannot be justified." The Minister expressed the opinion that the application of standards to local body requirements would result in a very considerable reduction in the cost of house construction. The question was one that had received much attention in 32 other countries, many of which had undertaken extensive standardisation, and some of the results that had been placed before him were very striking in the great saying that had been achieved. Mr Sullivan quoted a report of an English committee showing that standardisation had not only effected economies but had resulted in increased efficiency and that it had not been adequately realised how far success in international competition depended on a steady and well-organised home market. mis was important to the consideration of industrial development which was receiving the close attention of the New Zealand Government in the interests of producing a better-balanced economy. It was obvious that if local body requirements were standardised so that the same equipment would be used by I local bodies and public authorities generally, within practical limits, the manufacture of that equipment within the Dominion would be greatly facilitated at a price more advantageous to the purchaser, and more satisfactory to the suppliers. New Building By-laws Mr T Jordan, president of the Municipal Association, said that local bodies were awaiting the completion of the building by-laws. He was anxious to see the building code completed, after which something could be done about draining and plumbing. He considered that local bodies would welcome anything that could be done in the way of setting up a committee for standardisation. ■ , , ... Mr A. R. Galbraith. chairman of the advisory council of the New Zealand standards Institute, who presided, said that considerable work had already been done. He thought that within six months most of the urgent part of the work would be settled as far as the Standards Institute was concerned and the matter released for general use. The conference discussed questions relevant to the problem of standardisation of local body by-laws particularly those related to building construction. It was emphasised that there could be no disagreement about the desirability of proceeding with the proposals for a general improvement. Attention to the question was long overdue, it was stated, and the hope was expressed that the matter would be vigorously pursued to overcome the present anomalies and diversity of regulatory provisions. It was agreed that the whole of the sections of the building code which could logically be assigned to separate committees of the Standards Institute should be so assigned and the committee instructed to prepare an estimate of the technical assistance required with a view to the completion of the code within six months. It was also decided to recommend to the Government that a grant should be made from the Consolidated Fund for the development of that work. The Director of Housing Construction (Mr A. Tyndall) said that the standardisation of building codes and the requirements for the sub-division of land was an urgent necessity, not only in New Zealand, but also in other countries He quoted many anomalous conditions in housing in the United States, particularly a multiplicity of minor and conflicting Imitations, and said that similar anomalies existed in New Zealand. For example, the minimum by-law requirements in the different boroughs and cities of New Zealand for frontage of building sections varied from 20 feet to 66 feet, while the minimum area requirements varied from 11 perches to 53 perches. Moreover, sanitary equipment which was not approved in one town was perfectly acceptafcte in most other towns. There was no doubt that if a standard building code could be framed to suit New Zealand conditions in general, a great service would be rendered to the public and to the building industry. APPEAL FOR MAKOGAI LEPERS _ + Mr P. J. Twomey, of the Christchurch Gas Company, has so far received £9OO in cash, and several cases of goods for the lepers isolated at Makogai. The generous response of New Zealand people for Makogai patients is gratifying. When Mr Twomey made his first appeal in 1932 he received £44. In 1933 he received £144; in 1934, £260; in 1935, £565; and in 1936, £I3OO. There are nearly 600 patients who will benefit. Last year the funds permitted each patient to have a present at Christ- • mas and at Easter time. Besides this, the bed-ridden patients were supplied with extra comforts throughout the year to help them bear their lot. The appeal will continue for a short time, and, when it is finished, it is hoped that the funds will be sufficient for each patient to receive gifts and other comforts as in last year. "The Press," the nevspaper for the home. The people's first choice. —0