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Fusion-welded Steel Tanks. —The drafting of a standard specification for fusionwelded steel tanks, as used in pressure water-supply systems in country districts, has been completed, and the specification is now being finally reviewed prior to being issued. Electrical Sectional Committee (Two meetings) Electrical Accessories and Appliances Committee .. .. One meeting. Parent Committee. —In addition to reviewing the work being carried out under its direction, the parent committee examined 17 British standards, 2 draft British standards, and 2 Canadian standards. Four of the British standards were recommended for adoption as New Zealand standard specifications. The committee also examined 20 amendment slips to British standards, 12 of which were recommended for incorporation in the corresponding New Zealand standard specifications. Domestic Electrical Appliances. —With a view to reaching finality concerning the action that should be taken to raise the quality of electrical equipment and apparatus to a satisfactory standard, a conference was convened by the responsible Government authorities during the year. After fully examining, all aspects of the matter, the conference decided that a programme of standardization should be undertaken with a view to establishing requirements that would ensure the sale and use of electrical equipment and apparatus which would conform to an adequate standard of efficiency, safety, and durability, and which Would bear the Standard Mark as a certification of such conformity. A committee has been set up to undertake the necessary programme of work to give effect to these recommendations. This work will involve the development of standard specifications for irons, radiators, toasters, immersion heaters, kettles, hand-lamps, and similar equipment, in addition to a range of standard specifications relating to various electrical accessories. Standard specifications for plugs and sockets, ceiling-roses, and the testing of water-heating •elements have already been completed and issued, and good progress has been made with the preparation of draft specifications for jugs, cooking-ranges, and switches. The completion of this work will remove a cause of widespread complaint and dissatisfaction with the quality of electrical equipment and apparatus. In order not to convey a wrong impression in this connection, it should be pointed out that investigations have revealed that there is no justification for the conclusion that all the electrical equipment and apparatus found to be unsatisfactory is of New Zealand manufacture. Radio Industry Sectional Committee (One meeting) Following the receipt of a wide range of radio standards from the national standards •organizations of other countries, which had been issued to facilitate war production and development within the industry, the Radio Industrial Plan Committee, operating under the Bureau of Industry, resolved that such overseas standards should be examined and adopted as New Zealand standard specifications in so far as they were found to satisfy New Zealand conditions and requirements. The committee also decided that original New Zealand standard specifications should be prepared as found desirable. Consequently, a Radio Industry Sectional Committee was established within the Standards organization. At its inaugural meeting the committee reviewed 13 British, 38 American, 5 Australian, and 21 Canadian standard specifications for radio components, materials, equipment, and performance. The committee decided that a Radio Components Committee and a Radio Performance Committee should be instituted to undertake a full examination of the specifications falling within their respective spheres, and after full consultation with the affected interests, to make recommendations concerning their adoption, in amended form or otherwise, as found advisable. This action will enable New Zealand to keep abreast of stage-to-stage advances which occur in radio science and technology in other countries.

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