H.—44.

Printing and Publishing. In the main there has been considerable activity in trade during the year, but expansion has been severely checked by the great scarcity of all types of paper and the very advanced prices paid for those that are available. Many fancy and luxury lines have disappeared, but it seems probable thatmore could be accomplished in the way of making paper-supplies go as far as possible. Instructions recently issued by the Factory Controller in regard to economy in the use of paper and cardboard should effect a big saving. Newspapers are also experiencing a shortage of newsprint, and the resiilts of this are shown in the reduction in size of the daily papers, increase in advertising rates, use of smaller type, and the cessation of supplements. Rubberware. This industry is developing rapidly, necessitating large increases of staff, and in the North three shifts a day are being worked. In the South it is reported that the operatives have settled down to the unusual technique of the industry, and the wide scope for development has resulted in a number of new lines being placed on the market. There has been some difficulty as regards supplies of certain raw materials, but it is hoped this position may be rectified very shortly. Bricks, Pipes, and Tiles, do. It was reported in the North that demand has fallen, off, particularly in the last quarter, in the main lines. However, the continued demand created by State housing requirements, coupled with private-building activity, has again provided a considerable market for these products. The difficulties experienced in the supply of corrugated roofing-iron have given an impetus to the roofingtile industry. An increasing market is being found for new lines such as'electrical porcelains and other pressed ware. NEW INDUSTRIES. The general development of industries has continued, and manufacturers have to an increasing extent supplied the domestic market with goods of a type previously imported. This has involved the extension of existing plant, and in a number of cases the erection of new factories. Manufacture of the following commodities was commenced or developed to a greater extent during the past twelve months : Nuts and bolts, syphonic flushing-valves, pictorial instruction equipment, porcelain range tiles, dolls and toys, wallboards, switchboards, shoe-laces, electric fences, cork-sole filling, knitted wear, brass trap-screws, cornflour substitute, gummed strip, toe-puffs, soil pipes and junctions, waxed-paper products, slide domes, electric porcelains, domestic refrigerators, sardine-canning, rivets, dentifrice, implement-handles, bakelite products, corrugated board, gloves, rubber sealing compounds, insulation tape and paper, caulking, greaseproof paper, steel enamelled sinks, opal glass jars, pencil-erasers, men's felt hats, button-moulds, musical instruments, oil-refining, water paints, roofing-materials, rubber products, toilet brushware, mattresses, typewriter ribbons, and chalk. BUREAU OF INDUSTRY. INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY ACT, 1936. Report for the Year ended 30th April, 1941. With one exception, the personnel of the Bureau remained unchanged throughout the year. Owing to the additional responsibilities resulting from his appointment as adviser to the Government on the scientific aspects of national defence, Dr. E. Marsden, Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, found it necessary to resign, his place on the Bureau being taken by the Assistant-Secretary of that Department, Mr. F. J. A. Brogan. The special membership remained unchanged during the year. The membership at present is as follows : — Ordinary Members — Mr. L. J. Schmitt (Chairman), Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce. Mr. F. Johnson (Deputy Chairman), Assistant Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce. Mr. F. J. A. Brogan, Assistant Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Mr. W. Bromley, Secretary, State Iron and Steel Department. Mr. E. J. Fawcett, Assistant Director-General, Department of Agriculture. Mr. E. D. Good, Comptroller of Customs. Mr. E. L. Greensmith, Second Assistant Secretary to the Treasury. Mr. J. S. Hunter, Director, Social Security Department. Mr. L. J. McDonald, Inspector of Licensed Industries, Department of Industries and Commerce. Mr. G. A. Pascoe, Commissioner, State Iron and Steel Department. Mr. W. N. Waugh, Advisory and Investigating Officer, Customs Department. Special Members — Manufacturers' Representatives — Mr. C. M. Bowden, Public Accountant, Wellington. Mr. I. Matheson, Director, Matheson and Wilkinson, Ltd., Wellington. Farmers' Representatives — Mr. T. C. Brash, late Secretary, New Zealand Dairy Board. Mr. H. Morrison, Sheep-farmer, Awatoitoi, Masterton. Secretary : Mr. G. L. O'Halloran, Department of Industries and Commerce.

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