H—44a

dimensions, capacities, and quality of glass. Some attention is also being given to a type of closure, with particular reference to hygiene. Representations concerning the need for this standard have stressed that, as much new plant is likely to be installed in the near future, the time is opportune for standardization, which would yield substantial economies through reduced breakages, lower manufacturing and transport costs, and the great facility and convenience which would result particularly in the use of filling and washing machines and processes. BRITISH COMMONWEALTH STANDARDS CONFERENCE, 1946 As a result of the discussions held in London in 1945, referred to in the last report, a British Commonwealth Standards Conference was held in London from 30th September to 12th October, 1946, and was attended by representatives from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India, Palestine, Eire, and New Zealand. It was not possible to send special delegates from New Zealand, but the Dominion was formally represented by Mr. D. M. Jervis, of the High Commissioner's Office, London, and Messrs. F. H. Taylor and M. Wallace, of the London staff of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION The establishment of the International Organization for Standardization on a permanent basis was achieved by a conference of the member bodies of the United Nations Standards Co-ordinating Committee and the member bodies of the International Federation of National Standardizing Bodies, frequently referred to as the International Standards Association (1.5.A.), which was in existence before the war, but was active mainly in continental Europe. The new organization has a wider membership of national standards bodies than any previous international organization for standardization, having been formed by the ratification of its constitution and rules of procedure by twenty-five national standards bodies, including the American Standards Association, the All-Union Standards Committee of the U.S.S.R., and the British Standards Institution. The New Zealand Standards Institute has become a member of the International Standards Organization, and is thus contributing towards the effective co-ordination of various national standard specifications which, by promoting international standardization, will facilitate trade without interfering with national standards necessary to the special conditions and requirements of individual countries. New Zealand will benefit from the development of international standards quite apart from the aspect of international trade, since the development of standards by agreement between industrially advanced countries will make available the advantages of the latest scientific research and technological practice. The following projects have been referred to the International Organization for Standardization: — Terms and Definitions for the Heat Treatment of Steel. Moisture Regain of Wool. Gauges for Sheet Metal and Wire. Pallets for the Unit Load Method of Materials handling. Pressure Ratios, Yalve Outlets, and Identification Colours for Gas-cylinders. Definition of Rayon. i Machine Tools. Unification of Boiler Construction Codes. Metal Food-containers. Co-ordination of Building Standards. Textiles Testing Methods. . Essential Oils. Extra High Voltages for Electrical Transmission. Measurement of Radio Interference. Universal Decimal Classification.

20