84

This recommendation was accepted by the Committee for incorporation in its report to the Assembly, with an amendment providing for the despatch of three missions instead of "as many as possible." The New Zealand delegation abstained from voting on this recommendation, considering that it should be left to the Fifth Committee to determine what sums in the budget should be allocated to this purpose, and therefore the extent to which the programme could be embarked upon in the coming year. The resolution on technical assistance was adopted by 47 votes (N.Z.) with 6 abstentions ; that regarding training of apprentices by 45 votes (N.Z.) to 2 with 6 abstentions. This matter was discussed at some length by the Fifth Committee (q.v.). In the General Assembly the resolutions were adopted. Discriminations Practised by Certain States in International Trade Obstructing Normal Development of Trade Relations and Contrary to the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter Opening the discussion on this subject the delegate of Poland referred to the inequality among countries not only in their present economic development, but also in their ability to secure supplies and equipment necessary for development. He spoke of trade discrimination practised by certain countries solely for political reasons, citing as an example the policy of the United States in restricting exports to countries of Eastern Europe. He then introduced a draft resolution, the operative portion of which called upon members of the United Nations to eschew economic discrimination " designed to apply sanctions ... or to influence domestic or foreign policy," and upon the Economic and Social Council and other United Nations organs to regard the substance of the resolution as one of their basic principles. Replying to the Polish statement, the United States delegate referred to his country's participation in the United Nations Trade Conference and in its subsequent Charter, which was founded upon the principle of non-discrimination and which twenty-two countries had already signed. In the present world production shortage, the United States was confronted with the problem of allocating goods in short supply—not only among foreign claimants, but between domestic and foreign "buyers. Furthermore, in the interests of national security all Governments were entitled to restrict the export of goods capable of military use. The representative of France outlined the principles of nondiscrimination in trade which had been incorporated in the Charter of the proposed United Nations Trade Organization, and introduced a resolution calling upon member States to follow these principles.