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Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 150, 21 March 1921, Page 4

A notable example of the lengths to which standardisation has been carried in British engineering production is afforded by the range of coal-cutters manufactured by one firm. Some coal-cut-ters do their work by means of a spiked bar, and others, by moans of a chain with sharp projections; these two types are made interchangeable, so that either form of tool may be fitted as required. Again, the driving motors, whether they be electric (alternating current or direct currently or compressed air, are all designed to bo of the same external dimensions, and to occupy the same position in the structure of the machine. Thte feature will be of great benefit in mines or groups of mines where different forms of power are in use, as it reduces ths number of spares which need to lie kept in stock. Another feature is that the machines are mouufcd permanently on sledges, no flitting trucks being used. They can, therefore, be hauled easily along the roadway or from roadway to roadway, so that they can be transferred rapidly to a now heading while the coal cut in a former heading is being stripped. These imnrnvemente aro the result of many years of experience in the manufacture of mining machinery. In Switzerland the embroidery industry is facing a serious crisis, exports having dropped far below their pre-war level._J£he watch factories aro also being obliged to shut down owing to a lack of orders. 'l'he number of new books published in the United Kingdom during 1920 was 11,004, an Increase of 2382 over those published in 1919