H.—44.

During the year the Employment Promotion Fund ceased to exist as a result of the social-security legislation superseding the Employment Promotion Act. Industrial advances recommended by the Bureau had hitherto been granted from this fund. Such advances are now being made by the State Advances Corporation in accordance with appropriate provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936 (section 22), and the State Advances Corporation Act, 1936 (section 29). General. Besides the industries referred to above, the Bureau has considered various matters pertaining to quite a number of other industries during the year and, in addition, conducted investigations into various general matters pertaining to the industrial structure of the Dominion. Industries not covered by licensing or by industrial plans which were considered by the Bureau during the year include the following: Kauri-gum; lime; the clothing industry; the manufacture of sodium chlorate, unfermented fruit-juices, agricultural implements, power alcohol, synthetic wool, producer-gas vehicles ; the preparation of glands and pharmaceuticals ; the manufacture of wallboard ; the Leicester trade ; the production of linseed-oil; the manufacture of wire ropes, crude-oil burners, automobile polishes and cleaners, stiffeners and shanks for the footwear industry, buttons and artificial stone, and the electroplating industry. Subjects affecting industry generally which were considered during the year were merchandise marks, the New-Zealand-made goods publicity campaign, the technical education of foremen and managers, the shortage of skilled tradesmen in general, Arbitration Court awards and wages, industrial estates and tenant factories, the testing of the qualities of motor-fuels, and the availability of electric power for industry. The investigations and consideration given to these and other matters entailed a number of reports to the Government as well as a great deal of time and investigation on the part of the Bureau's Investigating Officers. In a number of cases the Bureau was able to initiate action of benefit to the industries concerned. In this latter regard, particular reference may be made to the publicity campaign inaugurated by the Government early in 1939 in order to encourage the purchase and manufacture of locally made goods and which was popularly publicized under the caption " Let's build a Nation! " This campaign was initiated by the Bureau of Industry in the course of its recommendations to the Government during the year. It is felt that the Bureau is proving an extremely valuable orgainzation in the industrial structure of the Dominion, and it would appear reasonable to suggest that the Industrial Efficiency Act is adequately fulfilling the functions for which it was placed on the statute-book. The coming year's work of the Bureau gives promise of being an exceedingly busy one. NEW ZEALAND STANDARDS INSTITUTE. In April, 1939, the Standards Institute was transferred from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to the Department of Industries and Commerce. The Institute has performed a great deal of work and has achieved a considerable measure of success in the relatively short time that it has been in existence. It is hoped that the direct association of the Institute with the Department of Industries and Commerce will make for still more effective working and that under its administration progress will be still more rapid. ORGANIZATION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY. The Department is co-operating extensively with the Organization for National Security, by providing representatives for a number of important committees and compiling information on various aspects of stocks, supply, and production in emergency. The Department has accepted the responsibility of organizing the national-supply section of the Organization and has established a special division to undertake this work, which includes the surveying of the normal position and the preparation of detail plans for the provision of essential supplies of all kinds both for the armed Forces and the civilian population in any emergency which may arise. A number of inter-departmental committees have been set up to assist in this matter, and the fullest co-operation is being given by all concerned. WHEAT, FLOUR, AND BREAD. The wheat, flour, and bread rationalization scheme has continued to function smoothly during the year. Unfortunately, during 1938 bad weather again interfered with sowing operations. A large area of land was prepared in the autumn, but prolonged wet weather during the winter prevented a large portion of it from being sown in wheat. In consequence, the crop being harvested at the time of writing this report is lower than the previous year's crop. The prospects for the ensuing year are regarded as very good. It has again been necessary to import considerable quantities of Australian wheat both for fowl feed and for milling purposes to make up the deficiency in the local crop.

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