A. -6.

Other Resolutions. The Research Committee also passed the following resolutions on a number of other matters : — Minor Forest Products. "The Research Committee are of opinion that in order to secure the full utilization in commerce and industry of the minor forest products of Empire origin, and to develop intra-Imperial trade in these products, it is desirable that such steps be taken as are practicable by the various Governments of the Empire to carry out a survey of their own resources in these materials. The survey should, as far as possible, conform to a common plan, so as to permit the proper correlation of the data by a suitable central body, including in its membership representatives of the various Governments concerned, of the Imperial Institute, and of other organizations closely associated with the investigation or utilization of these products. The directions in which information is particularly required would include the following : — " (A) Resources of minor forest products within the existing limits of economic production — " (i) Statistics of actual production : " (ii) Economics of production : " (iii) Exports. <; (iv) Imports : " (v) Consumption : " (B) Resources outside the existing limits of economic production— " (i) Lists of possible minor forest products which might be of economic importance. " (ii) If possible, the collection and extraction of information as regards costs and quantities." Standardization of Meteorological Units. " The Research Committee of the Imperial Conference note with satisfaction the progress made towards the universal adoption of a common system of meteorological units, and endorse the recommendations of the Conference of Empire Meteorologists and its proposals for the adoption of the international codes for the transmission of meteorological messages." Agricultural Standards. " The Research Committee of the Imperial Conference desire to draw attention to the assistance which might be rendered to intra-Imperial trade in certain agricultural commodities by reasonable uniformity of standards or grades, and urge that those responsible for formulating regulations of this character in each part of the British Commonwealth of Nations should bear this aspect in mind." Research under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (United Kingdom). The research work carried out under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research of the United Kingdom on the preservation and transport of foodstuffs, on building, radio-telegraphy, prevention of water-pollution, and on standards was also considered. The committee agreed that the arrangements for collaboration between the various Governments of the Commonwealth were generally satisfactory, but certain suggestions were made for more effective intra-Imperial co-operation in building research. Industrial Research Associations. The question of the practicability of co-operation between industrial research associations in the United Kingdom and the manufacturing industries in the Dominions received attention. The conclusion was reached that it was not practicable to devise a policy of co-operation between research associations and Dominion manufacturers which would be capable of general application, but that oversea firms desirous of making application to a research association for membership, either directly or through a national research organization, should be encouraged to do so.

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