H—44a

Survey of Children's Feet.—Good progress has been made with the measuring of the feet of five thousand children representing a cross-section of the community.. Notwithstanding interruptions due to the poliomyelitis epidemic, measurements of thefeet of two thousand eight hundred children had been taken at the close of the year under review. Also, during the year, a preliminary analysis was made of some of the measurements then available in order to check the accuracy of the work and to arrive at sometentative conclusions before undertaking the main analysis of the measurements when these are complete. Experimental lasts in three widths for one length of foot were made, and shoes manufactured on these lasts will be fitted to the corresponding feet in order to establish a reliable relationship between actual foot measurements and the last measurements. This will facilitate the main examination of the measurementswhen the survey is completed and the interpretation of this data on a practical basis. Textiles Sectional Committee (One meeting) Textiles Testing Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Women's and Girls' Underwear Sizes Subcommittee .. .. One meeting. Girls' Outerwear Sizes Committee .. .. .. .. Two meetings. Industrial Clothing Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Shirt and Pyjama Sizes Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Gloves Committee ... .. .. .. .. One meeting. Gloves Approvals Advisory Panel ... .. .. .. One meeting. Parent Committee.—The parent committee considered the reports of the committees working under its direction and examined 1 draft British standard and 2 British, standards, which were directed to the relevant working committees for detailed consideration. In response to a request from the International Organization for Standardization, it submitted comment relating to a uniform definition of the term " rayon. 5 ' Textiles Testing.—The proposed standard specification for general methods for the testing of woven textiles, referred to in the last report, was completed in draft form during the year and recommended for circulation for review and comment. This standard specification will establish uniform methods of test in respect of all the factors which affect the quality of textiles and will thus prepare the way for the formulation of standards for textile materials generally. In the meantime, the standard methods of test will be of valuable assistance to testing and research authorities, manufacturing,, distributing, and consumer interests. Women's and Girls' Underwear Sizes. —The Women's and Girls' Underwear Sizes. Committee made further progress with the preparation of a draft standard specification establishing minimum. basic measurements in relation to size designations. It is. increasingly evident, from the numerous representations being received from retailersand consumers, that the adoption of standard sizes will be much appreciated by these interests. Apart from the confusion and conflict which results when different termsare used by different manufacturers to designate the same sizes, and conversely, when the same term has different meanings, it is a matter of considerable importance that the basic measurements relating to each size should be adequate. Otherwise, undue strains are imposed upon the garment, which greatly reduce its wearing life and involve substantial economic loss. That the adoption of standard sizes is desirable, and, indeed, essential, is clearly indicated by advice coming to hand from overseas concerning the extent to which the clothing trades in other countries are undertaking this work. One of the main features

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