A—ll

The Sub-Commission met in London from 29th July to 17th August and from 6th to 13th September, 1946. New Zealand was represented at these meetings by Sir Cecil Day, External Affairs Liaison Officer. A report was prepared showing the devastation in Europe and the resulting situation. The most important recommendation of the Sub-Commission was the proposal for the establishment of an Economic Commission for Europe, which body was later recommended by the General Assembly and established by the Economic and Social Council in March, 1947. The Council, in 1946, also made certain recommendations on the way in which members of United Nations and international organizations could help to meet the reconstruction needs of devastated countries. Considering these resolutions, the General Assembly, in December, 1946, established a Committee to determine the devastated countries' minimum needs of essentials of life and directed, inter alia, that the SecretaryGeneral should facilitate an exchange of information and informal discussions on programmes for relief activities after the termination of UNRRA. In accordance with this direction, the Secretary-General convened an informal meeting in New York on 28th February, 1947, at which Mr. J. S. Reid, First Secretary, New Zealand Legation, Washington, represented New Zealand. He outlined New Zealand's assistance to UNRRA and the contracts for that organization which then awaited completion, the ration schemes in operation to attain maximum exports of food, the voluntary relief activities, and the possible directions in which New Zealand might be able to assist devastated areas. Further consideration is at present being given to the proper scope of New Zealand's activity in these matters. . The Temporary Sub-Commission's working group for Asia and the Far East met in London in August and September, 1946, and initiated action for the compilation of information on the areas in question. The working group was convened again in New York on 14th February, 1947 ; New Zealand was represented by Mr. J. S. Scott, Trade Officer, New Zealand Supply Mission, Washington, in the absence, owing to illness, of Mr. G. R. Powles, First Secretary, New Zealand Legation, Washington, who had been nominated as New Zealand representative. The working group carried forward the survey of conditions in Asia and the Far East, but with the establishment of the Economic Commissions for Europe and for Asia and the Far East the activities of the Temporary Sub-Commission and its two working groups have now been terminated. 4. The Trusteeship Council China, France, the U.S.S.R., the United Kingdom, and the U.S.A. are permanent members of the Trusteeship Council. Australia, Belgium, and New Zealand are also permanent members since they administer trust territories. Any other State which becomes the administrator of a trust territory will become a permanent member of the Trusteeship Council. The Assembly elects to the Trusteeship Council whatever number of other States is required to create an equal balance in the Council between States which administer trust territories and those which do not. These elected members serve for three-year terms and are eligible for immediate re-election. The present elected members are Iraq and Mexico, which will serve until 31st December, 1949. The International Trusteeship System is the subject of considerable study in the Department. It is of special interest to New Zealand, because, as the administering authority of the Trust Territory of Western Samoa, New Zealand is a member of the Trusteeship Council. At the San Francisco Conference the New Zealand delegation strongly supported the adoption of the trusteeship clauses of the United Nations Charter ; indeed, the Prime Minister was Chairman of the Trusteeship Committee of the Conference. Later the Government announced their intention of placing the mandated territory of Western Samoa under trusteeship. Accordingly, a trusteeship agreement was drafted for that territory. This agreement, with amendments, was approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December, 1946. New Zealand, therefore, automatically became entitled to a seat upon the Trusteeship Council, and Sir Carl Berendsen, New Zealand Minister at Washington, was appointed New Zealand representative on the

12