A.—6,

" (b) As part of this consultation, the practice of communicating draft specifications prepared in one part of the Commonwealth for the observations of the standardizing bodies in other parts likely to be interested should be continued and extended. It would be advantageous if any proposed specification could be so communicated in draft form at the earliest moment practicable, subsequent modifications being sent, if necessary, by telegram, and if a definite time-limit were agreed upon within which the observations of the other standardizing bodies should be furnished. " (c) It is further desirable that in the event of users in one part of the Commonwealth not being satisfied with the performance of the goods made to any particular standard specification issued in another part, the matter should be brought to the attention of the issuing standardizing body in order that the specification in question may be brought under review. " (d) Much advantage would result from the communication by one standardizing body to others of any suggestions that it may be able to make from time to time as to commodities in respect of which standardization is desirable. Any such suggestion should be supplemented, where possible, with co-ordinated information of the views of users and manufacturers in the country from which the suggestion emanates as to the characteristics that are desirable in the commodity in question, and also with information as to the extent of the demand that may reasonably be anticipated in that country when the commodity is standardized. " (e) The Conference recommends that the scope of the work of the standardizing bodies should include both standard specifications for industrial materials and apparatus, and codes or rules. In order to simplify the procedure, should modification be required, the actual specifications for materials in connection with any code should be kept separate from the code itself. " 111. (a) The Conference recommends that each standardizing body should adopt a mark or brand to be applied under the license and control of such body to goods which comply with standard specifications issued by it and are produced or manufactured within the territory which it covers ; and should take the necessary steps to secure for such mark or brand the full protection of law throughout the British Commonwealth of Nations, whether by its registration, wherever possible, as a standardization trade-mark or in some other appropriate way. " {b) The Conference is further of opinion that it would be advantageous for each standardizing body adopting such a mark or brand to communicate from time to time to the other standardizing bodies lists of the specifications to which the mark or brand relates, and of the holders of licenses, together with an indication of the class or classes of products in respect of which the license is held in each case. " IV. The Conference is of opinion that with a view to the promotion of economy in production and distribution, to the advantage of both manufacturers and consumers throughout the Commonwealth, and also as a preliminary to standardization in suitable cases, it is desirable that all practicable steps should be taken by the appropriate bodies in each part of the Commonwealth to promote, wherever possible, industrial simplification, by co-operation between consumers, distributors, and manufacturers. " V. The Conference desires to emphasize the need for standardizing bodies to ascertain within their spheres of activity the extent of adoption of and adherence to standard specifications and practices, and recommends that such measures consistent with the principle of voluntary adoption should be taken as will promote the greatest degree of conformity in each part of the Commonwealth. " It wishes also to bring to the attention of the Governments of the Commonwealth the great importance of adherence to the standard specifications drawn up by the recognized standardizing bodies, and suggests that encouragement should be given to a general adherence thereto by the adoption of such specifications to the fullest extent possible by Government purchasing Departments, local authorities, and public corporations, and in any other ways which may be found practicable. "VI. The Conference draws attention to the suggestion of the Imperial Conference of 1926 that a specific Department of each Goverriment within the Commonwealth should be charged with the duty of watching and stimulating the movement towards standardization and simplification, and accepts the view that there is considerable scope for activity, in the interests of consumers and manufacturers alike, by such Government Departments.

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