H—44a

potency of fish-liver oils complicate the prescription of dosages since there is no means of readily knowing the vitamin content of .the different oils which constitute the bases of prescriptions. Moreover, without a reliable and ready means of knowing the relative vitamin content of the different products, people are not in a position to know whether they are purchasing a preparation of high quality, or one so low in vitamin content as to be almost worthless. The standard specification requires that the containers of preparations conforming, to its provisions shall be clearly labelled with the type of oil, the vitamin content, and the normal dosage, in association with the Standard Mark as a certification in this respect. The Standard Mark may therefore be regarded as a reliable warranty of the accuracy of the statements on such labels. This warranty will have the added advantage of materially assisting to maintain and extend the valuable export market for fish-liver oils which has already been established, but which may well be lost unless adequate standards of quality are maintained. Capsules containing Vitamins A and D. —Preliminary proposals have been completed for a standard specification for capsules containing vitamins A and D. This specification will incorporate requirements establishing methods of test to be used to determine whether the potency of such capsules is effectual. It will provide for proper packaging, since, even though capsules are of adequate potency when manufactured, they so deteriorate as to be worthless unless they are properly packed. It will also provide for reliable marking. Vitamins A and D for Animal Feeding.—Good progress has been made with the formulation of a standard specification which will establish the necessary minimum requirements in respect of vitamins A and Din oil for animal feeding. This specification will provide for two types of oil, one for feeding both poultry and other stock and the other for feeding other stock only. Provision will also be made for a concentrated solution of calciferol, a valuable source of vitamin D which is used for the prevention of rickets in lambs in southern districts. By ensuring that the various preparations will be of the correct strength, the standard specification will greatly assist farmers and other users of stock foods and, in addition, will protect manufactures of genuine products from unfair competition. Household Insecticides.—A. committee has been instituted to undertake the preparation of a standard specification for household insecticides. A preliminary exploration of this subject has been made, and it is the intention of the committee to proceed with the development of the specification as soon as it is possible to formulate xeliable test requirements for determining the toxicity and general efficacy of insecticides. The formulation of these requirements involves considerable investigatory and research work. The committee intends to deal similarly with rodent poisons at a later date, and will probably extend its work to include disinfectants. Gas Industry Sectional Committee (One meeting) This committee was instituted during the year as a result of comments which were received from affected interests during the circulation of overseas standards relating "to the gas industry and which expressed the need for similar standard specifications in New Zealand. At its inaugural meeting the committee confirmed the need for the adoption of New Zealand standard specifications for gas equipment and applicances, including testing. The representatives of the industry agreed that such standard specifications would materially assist the industry to give and maintain a more efficient and economic service, and emphasized that, when completed, they would be of considerable value as a means of ensuring that equipment ordered from overseas would prove efficient and economic in operation and maintenance.

7