AN IMPORTANT STEP

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12623, 7 December 1926, Page 3

AN IMPORTANT STEP

ENGINEERING STANDARDISATION COMMONWEALTH IMPRESSES DR. MARSDEN WHAT AUSTRALIA HAS DONE “It is easily one of the most important developments in the industrial history of Australia.” These were the words used by Dr E. Marsden yesterday, when speaking of the work and progress of standardisation in Australia which he has just seen for himself. For years engineers have felt a growing need for some form of standardisation in industry. Manufacturer, retailer, and consumer have recognised the benefits which accrue when methods of standardisation are introduced to manufacture, and ultimately the principle has been accepted as a fundamental requirement of industrial progress. HOW IT BEGAN Following the war. when Australia was suffering from industrial depression, a movement for the purpose of introducing engineering standardisation to Australia was founded, being fathered by the Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry, when representative conferences of engineers were convened in the capital city of each State. On the establishment of the Australian Institution of Engi-

neers by amalgamation of all the existing engineering societies, which took place in 1919, a conference was arranged between representatives of tho institution and Mr Gerkld Lightfoot, of the Institute of Science and Industry, to discuss the whole question, and a scheme of organisation was subsequently suggested by Mr Lightfoot in a pamphlet issued by the institute. FOR GENERAL ADOPTION As the result of that conference, and at the request of the Institute of Science and Industry, recommendations relating to the proposed establishment of an Australian Engineering Standards Association were forwarded to the Prime Minister. In 1920 a permanent Institute of Science and Industry was established by Act of Parliament, a director appointed in the following year, and in 1922 the Australian Standards Association was formed. The primary aim of this association is to prepare and promote the general adoption of standards in connection with engineering structures, materials, and matters, and to revise these from time to time. The result, Dr Marsden thinks, has been wonderful. “It is remarkable how they have all pulled together in this matter,” he said, when questioned on the point yesterday. “The advantages of standards are obvious. They save much time in tendering, and are all the fairer to the consumer. 11l Australia they have done much work in getting out the sizes which are suitable to their conditions, and which have been accepted universally throughout Australia. Because everybody co-operated they have been able to do very solid work. ' MAKES THINGS POSSIBLE “These specifications and standards have been based on the British Standards Association’s work, with modifications such as local conditions demand. There are certain disadvantages, but they are more than compensated for by the gain which lias resulted. Everyone now knows just what he is selling, and stocks can be kept while tho specifications themselves are most iiractical and sensible. The saving to industry has been immense, and when an industry is growing it makes things possible, it makes for stability. “One thing which- they have done is to standardise on the same voltage which Mr Evan Parry recommended to us, and which has been adopted—--230 volts and o cycles—so that means that our electrical manufactures will be intercnangeable. and that the same voltage will rule throughout Australia and New Zealand.” HAS GOT RESULTS While ill the Commonwealth Dr Marsden attended sittings of the Institute of Science and Industry, and also of its sub-committees. There he heard discussions Vm such subjects as dairy investigations, river settlement, animal nutrition, animal pests and diseases, and cold storage, concerning which the institute has induced an expert to come to Australia for six months to givo advice. The body is doing fine work, and already has obtained from England and America some parasites which: it is hoped.. will lead to the eradication of prickly pear. After entomologists had sought for these for years they were tried out both in their native countries and in Australia, and finally eight were selected. of which the most successful have been the cochineal, the red spider, and the cactoblastus. Thev are now ready for liberation on a large scale, and so good have some of them proved that farmers have stolen them to take them to their farms. Last year the institute spent £50.000, and this year will spend still more. It has been granted £250.000 for four years, together with £IOO,OOO. the interest on which is to nay the salaries of research men.