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are still under consideration. In addition, the committee has carried out extensive preliminary work to ascertain the desirability and practicability of formulating standard specifications for further paint materials. Draft proposals for a code of practice for spray painting have been prepared, while some attention has also been given to the question of standard specifications for varnishes, driers, oil-base distemper, roof paint, protective paint for metals, paint suitable for Pinus radiata, and surface finishes. The standard specification for paint for use on service vehicles was also reviewed and amended in order to render its provisions more effective. Ready-mixed Paints. —In view of the critical position concerning supplies of white lead it has been necessary to revise the existing standard specifications for ready-mixed paints so as to reduce the white-lead content to the absolute minimum that will give reasonable service. Owing to an improvement in the supplies of zine oxide it has been possible to offset the effect of the reduction in white lead content, to a certain extent, by increasing the zinc oxide content. The amended standard specifications will ensure that the maximum use is made of the limited supplies of materials without resulting in the manufacture of paints below marginal utility. Timber Sectional Committee (Two meetings) Joinery and Profiles Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Plywoods Committee .. .. .. .. .. One meeting. Timber Ladders Sub-committee .. .. .. .. Two meetings. Kiln-drying Practice Committee .. .. .. .. Three meetings. Pinus Radiata Grading Rules Committee .. .. .. Four meetings. Timber Preservation Committee .. .. .. .. Two meetings. Timber Preservation Investigatory Committee .. .. One meeting. Timber Preservation Investigatory Sub-committee .. .. One meeting. Parent Committee.—The Timber Sectional Committee considered 11 British standards, 2 draft British standards, 1 amendment to a British standard, 7 Australian standards, and 1 South African standard, and directed these to appropriate committees for examination in collaboration with the affected interests and for report back to the parent committee. The committee considered requests for grading rules for Pinus radiata (insignis pine) for use in building construction as a means of augmenting supplies of building timber, and set up a special committee to formulate the necessary provisions. The parent committee also instituted a working committee to undertake the preparation of a standard code of practice for the kiln-drying of timber. In addition, a panel was set up to consider comments on the standard specification for the classification and grading of New Zealand building timber (national grading rules) and to make recommendations to the main committee for any necessary revision of these rules which such comments may warrant. Profiles.—'The draft standard specification for profiles of joinery and mouldings referred to in the last report was circulated during the year to all affected interests for review and comment. The comments received have been collated, and now await consideration by the responsible committee during the course of the final review of the draft proposals. A draft standard specification for profiles of weatherboards, flooring, and matchlining was also completed and circulated during the year. Plywoods. —As a result of representations received from user interests, the standard specification for plywoods was reviewed during the year, with the object of rendering its provisions more effective. A revised specification, which carries the concurrence of both producers and users of plywoods, has been now issued. All manufacturers of plywood have been granted licenses to use the Standard Mark upon their products as a certification of conformity with the requirements of the standard specification. In the course of inspections carried out during the year in connection with the use of the Standard Mark the co-operative attitude of the manufacturers made it

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