STANDARD MARK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 198, 19 May 1944, Page 3

STANDARD MARK

Value Of Badge Showing Quality

ADVICE TO CONSUMERS

The value of a standard mark as a means of enabling (lie consuming public lo identify at once goods of proved quality was stressed at this week’s meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce by Mr. W. I. Ciinninghame. The mark that was being introduced in New Zealand could be applied only to products for which standard specifications were drawn up and approved by all interested parties. Hie producers, the distributors and the consumers, said Mr. Cnnninghauie. This might lie difficult at presffiil. with the changing nature of the materials frequently used. Under the Standards Act of 19-11 provision was made for the use of the standard mark, and th.'H mark had been registered in the name of the King. New Zealand was the first country to face this question, though England had a utility mark applied to wartime products. The specifications would sei a minimum, not a maximum, so that there would be plent.v of room for improvement, a point which woulj be an advantage *o the small manufacturer. Moreover, the specifications were elastic, and could he varied from time to time. “The manufacturprs have given their blessing to the Standard mark.” said Mr. Cunninghame, “and' they want to see something done about certain shoddy goods coming on to the market, not only from New Zealand manufacturers but from overseas. They 'will be only too glad to use it. and the use of the mark will induce others to follow. It would enable the consumer to identify a standard of quality.” He said that it was proposed to issue licences to use the mark, and that it would be an offence to use it if the goods were not up to specification.

Mr. S. W. Peterson said the Minister had given the manufacturers an assurance that there would be no compulsion in the use of a standard mark. He did not agree with the idea that manufacturers should apply every year for the renewal of their right to use the mark. Those who manufactured a hundred or two hundred different lines would find this procedure extremely cumbersome and irksome. He suggested intervals of five years as appropriate. . . Mr. M. G. C. McCaul said that Britain and the United States and other British Dominions' had set standards thatjjwere recognized all over the world, and manufacturers had found it a big convenience to quote to these standards. They met the desire of the consumers, who were the people who decided the standard, not the Government. “We have evidence of heads of Government departments trying to push personal ideas on to the public.’ he said. “The public must insist on pushing its ideas on to the manufacturers and producers.” . Mr. Cunninghame said it was not the intention of the Government to force on manufacturers standards that were' not acceptable. , , Mr. W. H; Hindle: Will imported goods have to measure up to New Zealand specifications? Mr. Cunninghame: The Standards Institute will accept standard goods such as the British Pharmacopoeia. 1