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A special conference was held with officers of the Price Tribunal to discuss prices and basis of price fixation, with the result that action is being taken to formulate a uniform method of costing and to secure a standard form for the preparation and submission of costs. The Branding Regulations and the Specialization Plan have received special attention and have been strongly advocated for acceptance and implementation. In all matters pertaining to returned .servicemen and service women and rehabilitation, close co-operation has been maintained with the Rehabilitation Department, and officers of that Department have attended meetings when such items were being reviewed. The Committee has also kept in touch with the Standards Institute and the New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) in matters affecting the industry, and has evidenced a willingness to co-operate with the Price Tribunal in regard to price fixation and costing proposals. Production of all types of footwear, including slippers and rubber footwear, has been as follows : Pairs. 1941 .. .. .. .. .. 5,160,615 1942 .. .. .. .. .. 5,867,167 1943 .. .. .. .. ... 5,294,228 1944 .. .. .. .. .. 5,353,503 1945 ... .. .. .. .. 5,423,031 The above figures are compiled as at 31st May of each year. From present figures it is apparent that production of leather footwear for the year ending 31st May, 1946, may drop approximately 250,000 pairs as compared with 1945, due primarily to the shortages of labour and certain materials. The total production of military footwear passed the 3,125,000 mark, including approximately 1,125,000 pairs for the United States Forces and Eastern Group Supply Council. Radio.—During the year the Radio Plan Industrial Committee met six times to consider matters relating to the industry, especially reconversion from wartime to peacetime production. A survey of the industry was carried out which showed that as a result of war work the total capacity of the industry was considerably greater than it had been before the war and greatly in excess of the estimated annual requirements. A large number of applications were received for new licenses and a limited number were granted to discharged servicemen to permit them to rehabilitate themselves in this industry. Electric Ranges.—The Electric Range Plan Committee has not been operating during recent years, due to the considerably reduced activity ih the industry through lack of raw materials and finished parts. The greatest endeavours have been made to meet increasing demands brought about by the intensified housing scheme, and future production will be limited only by the ability to obtain a continuous flow of materials and an adequate supply of labour. Flax-milling.—The Flax Plan Industrial Committee has continued its valuable and close co-ordination and encouragement of flax-milling. The comparative yearly production is given hereunder : 1945-46. 1944-45. 1943-44. 1942-43. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Fibre .. .. 3,964 4,797 5,141 3,371 Tow .. .. 687 775 711 784 Stripper slips.. 70 127 115 69 4,721 5,699 5,967 4,224 The decrease in production as compared with the past two years has been brought about by the cutting-out of areas which were operated during the war years under subsidy arrangements and the closing-down of three mills due to labour and other difficulties.

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