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commenced after the 19tli day of February, 1941, or hereafter commences, and terminates not later than the end of the duration of the war in which His Majesty is now engaged or as soon thereafter as the contract of service may lawfully bo determined. The responsibility to reinstate exists in every case whore a serving employee was employed for at least four weeks immediately prior to his offering himself for military service or to his being called up for military service. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION Meeting of Emergency Committee Last year's report dealt with the Conference held in New York from 27th October to sth November, 1941,. and also referred to the setting-up of an Emergency. Committee to meet in London to consider the effect to be given to the resolutions on post-war reconstruction and other matters mentioned in last year's report. As reconstituted in New York, the Emergency Committee, to which the Governing Body has delegated power to act on its behalf when Governing Body meetings cannot be held, consists of representatives of the Governments of the United States of America, Great Britain, India, Mexico, and the Netherlands, together with Sir John Forbes Watson (British), Mr. Harriman (United States), and Mr. Oersted (Danish) for the employers, and Mr. Hallsworth (British), Mr. Reus (Belgian), and Mr. Watt (United States) for the workers. Meetings of this Committee were held from 20th to 24th April, 1942. Dealing first with the general role of the International Labour Organization in reconstruction planning, the Committee adopted a proposal to establish a committee composed of men of wide experience whose function would be to study what economic provisions should lie included in the post-war settlement in order to make possible the implementation of the social objectives of the Atlantic Charter and act as an advisory body to the Governing Body for these purposes. It then dealt specifically with a number of reconstruction problems. In respect of development works, it requested the International Labour Office (a) to collect information on the measures taken by the different countries for drawing up programmes of work necessary for the development of their national economy and ready to be carried out when they are required by the employment situation ; (/)) to suggest to countries which have not yet done so that they take such measures within the framework of their post-war reconstruction planning ; (c) to collect information as to the amount of international collaboration required for financing the carrying-out of these programmes ; (d) to draw up a list of public works having an international bearing and to study the conditions under which they may be carried out; (e) to begin the study, in consultation with qualified experts, of the financial problems raised by an international public-works policy, relating them to the study of international financing in general; and (/) to examine what amendments to the statute of the International Public Works Committee might be required iu order to enable it to contribute most usefully to the carrying-out of a post-war international public-works policy. A study by the Office of international migration problems was authorized in order to discover the kind of international body that should be set up to correlate and supplement the national action taken by Governments, with a view to ascertaining what number of persons will wish to emigrate, making the proper selection, and preparing them for departure. Proposals as under in regard to agriculture were approved: Continuation of the study of the problems of agricultural workers, with particular attention to the question of methods of wage-fixing in agriculture ; broad studies of problems affecting the standard of living of the rural population, in particular attention to be given to agricultural credit, agrarian reform, and measures directly connected with ensuring to farmers an adequate income level. The textile industry was the subject-matter of specific attention, it being proposed that the study of this industry by the Office be resumed. Resolutions submitted to the New York Conference but not dealt with fully for lack of time were examined. Arising therefrom, the International Labour Office was authorized to consult appropriate agencies and individuals regarding the methods which should be adopted for the co-ordination of studies of international transport problems and the application of the tripartite principle " in considering plans for the regulation of economic and social conditions after the war" it being understood that the result of such consultation " might then be formulated into specific proposals for consideration at a future session." Meeting op Joint Maritime Commission The Joint Maritime Commission of the International Labour Organization held its twelfth session from 26th to 30th June, 1942, in London. A summary of the resolutions, which were unanimous, is given below : — (1) Ratification of International Labour Conventions : Urging Governments to ratify as soon as possible those conventions which present no substantial difficulties, and to institute immediately national consultations between the Governments and the organizations of shipowners and seafarers to see whether the essential principles of those conventions are capable of early application and whether the obstacles to ratification can be overcome. (2) Safety Measures for Seamen : Urging Governments to revise existing regulations in the light of recent progress in safety measure's and equipment. (3) Organization for Seamen's Welfare : Urging all maritime members of the International Labour Organization to give effect without delay to the provisions of the Seamen's Welfare in Ports Recommendation, 1936, and drawing attention to the following matters as of special importance : — (a) The administration of welfare schemes should be so organized as to give effective control to representatives of industrial organizations directly concerned with ships and the sea: (b) The financing of such schemes should be organized on an adequate and permanent basis and should not be exclusively dependent upon so-called " charitable organizations " : (c) Special provision should be made without delay for visiting seamen on the basis of equality of treatment irrespective of colour, race, or religion :

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