H.—44

A new tail-stripping machine has been developed by the Committee, and it is confidently anticipated from commercial trials that this machine will reduce costs of production considerably. Recent tests on leaf from selected flax-plants show a great improvement in the quality and quantity of the fibre obtained. Careful attention has been given to research work, and for this purpose an experimental station under the charge of competent Engineers has been established at Foxton. It would appear that the industry is at present suffering from the cumulative effects of years of unco-ordinated individual action in regard to growing, cutting, milling, and marketing, which has not been in the best interests of the industry from a national point of view. The Committee has in preparation further comprehensive plans for steps to be taken to secure a revival of the industry. Pharmacy. The Industrial Efficiency (Pharmacy) Regulations 1938 were published towards the end of 1938, and were formulated in accordance with the industrial plan accepted by the industry. The Pharmacy Plan Industrial Committee administering the regulations is as follows : — Nominees of — Government. —Mr. W. H. Stevens (Chairman), Wellington; Mr. D. W. Woodward, Department of Industries and Commerce ; Mr. E. R. Myers, Director of Pharmacy. Pharmacy Board.—Mr. H. J. S. Rickard, Wellington; Mr. D. 8. Dodds, Christchurch. United Friendly Societies' Dispensaries. —Mr. J. A. Race, Dunedin. Employees. —Mr. G. P. Adams, Wellington. Brief mention is made hereunder of the more important work undertaken by the _ Committee during the past year. The Committee has, of course, continued to make recommendations to the Bureau of Industry on all applications for licenses, transfers, &c., and other matters of a general nature affecting the industry. Prescription Pricing. The first major task undertaken was the setting-up of a universal tariff for the pricing of medical prescriptions. The general reaction of pharmacists to the tariff was quite favourable, even though it was not constructed on an overgenerous scale so far as the pharmacists were concerned- nor did the Committee feel that it should be, in view of its object to serve the public interest as well as the interests of pharmacists themselves. Investigations of actual results have shown that in no type of prescription is the scale dispensing fee too high, but that in a few cases the fee allowed is barely sufficient in relation to the dispensing time involved. Adjustments for these cases will be promulgated shortly. On the whole,' the system of pricing is working satisfactorily, although certain unavoidable intricacies in it occasionally lead to an incorrect price being _ calculated, though the majority of instances brought under notice refer to undercharging. There is, however, clear evidence of a conscientious desire by pharmacists to co-operate with the Committee in ensuring the fair and smooth, working of the pricing schedules. Survey. The plan provides for a very complete survey of all aspccts of pharmacy—the number of units, their distribution, their personnel, and their general economic position. It was decided to undertake this work in sections, and as some early investigation into the apprentice question was clearly needed this particular aspect was covered in the first questionnaire issued. The second section dealt with was that relating to prescriptions. Brief references to these two phases of the survey follow:-— Apprentices.—The following summarizes some of the facts obtained, showing the position as at the end of December last — Total pharmacies (excluding night pharmacies (10), to which this questionnaire did not apply) : 581. General distribution of pharmacies — North Island, 70 per cent, (population, 64-5 per cent.). South Island, 30 per cent, (population, 35-5 per cent.). Hereunder is a summary of the personnel of all pharmacies, taking into account a male or female assistant or an apprentice as a " man," but not including office-assistants or message-boys—

In all except five cases included in the last column only 1 apprentice is employed. _ In live cases pharmacies employ 2 apprentices, giving a total of 120 apprentices. The respective periods remaining to be served by these apprentices were : Less than one year, 39 ; one to two years, 32 ; two to three years, 26 ; three to four years, 23. Inquiries are being made to discover, if possible, the reason for the tapering-off in numbers which is apparent, with a view to promoting suitable remedies. In this matter the Committee is acting in consultation with the Pharmacy Board.

4—H. 44,

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Number of Number of " Men " Number having Pharmacies. employed. Apprentices. One-man .. .. ■ • 234 234 Two-man . . .. • • 222 444 56 Three-man .. .. .. 86 258 Four-man .. .. . ■ 20 80 Five or more .. .. .. 19 117 15 581 1,133 115