Government Imports

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 3

Government Imports

Sir,—l wish to thank the District Commissioner of Works for his explanation of the use of imported plugs and sockets in the new School of Engineering but it is not very satisfactory. I was not referring to special laboratory equipment but to the ordinary plug outlets in staff rooms, cafeterias, etc. These are

all plugs of English manufacture and thus the standard New Zealand plug will not fit these circuits. At the Princess Margaret hospital a different type of plug has been used. Thus we have the anomalous position in Christchurch of at least two government buildings , with different types of plug not interchangeable with each other and not interchangeable with the New Zealand standard plug. Domestic apparatus bought in New Zealand fitted with the New Zealand standard plug will not fit these ?ockets. I do not consider this in the interests of safety or of iconomy and it is quite contrary to the whole idea of standards. Let us keep to the New Zealand itandard plug outlet and if the >resent plug and socket manuactured in New Zealand is not up to standard then the manuacturers should do something about it. —I am, etc., PROTECTION.

March 29, 1960. [The District Commissioner of >Voiks (Mr . C. Smart • said: As I have already fully explained the reasons for using the .mported plugs and sockets, I lave no further comment to nake.”l