A—ll

FAO convened a special meeting on urgent food problems in Washington from 20th to 27th May, 1946. New Zealand was not originally one of the countries invited to attend this meeting, but, in view of its obvious importance to New Zealand, it was decided to ask the Director-General for an invitation, which was extended. Twenty nations were represented at the meeting, which adopted a series of recommendations designed to meet the urgent 'food situation. The meeting also recommended the establishment of the International Emergency Food Council (see separate note). The New Zealand delegation to the meeting was led by Sir Carl Berendsen ; its report has been published. The FAO special meeting on urgent food problems asked the Director-General to submit to the next Conference of FAO a survey of the existing and proposed intergovernmental organizations concerned with food and agriculture products and to make any necessary proposals. The report of the Director-General proposed the establishment of a World Food Board. The second session of the FAO Conference met in Copenhagen from 2nd to 13th September, 1946. The New Zealand delegation was led by Mr. E. J. Fawcett, who was re-elected to the Executive Committee of FAO. In addition to matters of substance the Conference dealt with several matters of procedural importance —e.g., applications for membership of FAO, and relations of the Organization with the United Nations, with other international organizations, and with non-governmental organizations. An agreement between FAO and the United Nations was approved. The Conference also considered the Director-General's report, gave general approval to the objectives set out therein, and established a Preparatory Commission of sixteen nations to consider the matter further. The Preparatory Commission was convened in Washington on 28th October, 1946, and held its last meeting on 24th January, 1947. New Zealand was not represented on the Commission, but Mr. R. W. Marshall attended its meetings as an observer. The report of the Commission is to be considered at the third session of the FAO Conference, which is to meet in Geneva in August, 1947. FAO also convened a Conference on Forestry Products Statistics, which met in Washington from 11th to 14th February, 1947. Mr. J. S. Scott, of the New Zealand Supply Mission, Washington, represented New Zealand at the Conference. 7. International Emergency Food Council The FAO meeting on urgent food problems held in May, 1946, decided to establish an International Emergency Food Council —(a) to consider, investigate, and inquire into and formulate plans with regard to any question relating to the supply and distribution of food and associated products, and (b) to collaborate with other members of United Nations and with other international organizations in formulating plans for the best use of food resources. The Council membership is open to any Government represented on any of the Council's commodity committees and to other Governments nominated by the Council. lEFC, with whose establishment the Combined Food Board has been discontinued, maintains close liaison with FAO and UNRRA. New Zealand is a member of several of the commodity committees of lEFC, and accordingly is a member of the Council. Mr. R. W. Marshall was designated by the New Zealand Minster in Washington as New Zealand representative on the Council and on those of the Committees which meet in Washington. Mr. McGuire represents New Zealand on the Committees that meet in London. The Council, its Central Committee, and Commodity Committees are concerned to estimate the supply and requirements of foodstuffs in short supply and to recommend allocations of those foodstuffs which are then submitted to Governments for their concurrence. The Council has had to deal with many matters of vital concern to New Zealand, including the question of bi-lateral and barter trade agreements. The first meeting of the Council was held on 20th and 21st June, 1946, the second meeting on 14th and 23rd October, 1946, and the third meeting on 30th and 31st January, 1947.

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