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From these conferences of representatives there emerged for the approval of Governments drafts of a General Agreement on Taiiffs and Trade and of a Charter for an International Trade Organization (more commonly referred to as the Havana Charter). In anticipation of parliamentary and public discussion reports and other papers relating to these two draft Agreements, including the full texts of the documents concerned, have been, or are being, presented to Parliament and given wide circulation as External Affairs publications. 2. International Labour Organization During the past year the scope of the activities of the ILO, an international agency of nearly thirty years standing, has expanded and its position has been reinforced. Its revised constitution entered into force on 20 April, 1948 ; further ratifications of its conventions have brought the total number of ratifications up to 971. Its links with the United Nations and the other specialized agencies have been strengthened and its competence recognized by the reference to it by the Economic and Social Council of several questions for study, action, and report. The meetings of its industrial committees have brought the organization closer to the detailed problems of industry and labour; it is developing its regional organization; the meetings of its permanent committees have been resumed. It has extended expert advice and assistance to several countries. Pakistan and Syria have become members, and it is understood that the Republic of the Philippines, Burma, and Ceylon will also join the organization. On the other hand, Yugoslavia has given notice of withdrawal from membership. The following notes cover meetings and activities of the ILO with which New Zealand, and especially the Department of External Affairs, were particularly concerned. A New Zealand delegation attended the thirtieth session of the International Labour Conference, held in Geneva from 19 June to 11 July, 1947. The agenda included the discussion of five draft International Labour Conventions designed to establish minimum social standards for dependent territories. This matter was of direct concern to the Department of External Affairs, as well as to the Departments of Island Territories and Labour, in view of New Zealand's obligations under the Trusteeship Agreement for Western Samoa and of New Zealand's responsibilities for the administration of the Cook and Tokelau Islands. The conference adopted all five conventions, covering the right of association, settlement of labour disputes, extension of international labour standards to dependent territories, maximum length of work contracts for indigenous labour, and labour inspection.