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XII. FIFTH COMMITTEE : ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY QUESTIONS * Chairman: Mr L. D. Wilgress (Canada) Vice-Chaiyman: Mr Andrei I. Galagan (Ukrainian S.S.R.) Rapporteur: Mr Olyntho P. Machado (Brazil) New Zealand Representatives Mr. J. V. Wilson • Dr W. B. Sutch Mr T. P. Davin Budgetary Estimates of Expenditure for 1949 The most important item on the agenda of the Fifth Committee was consideration of the budget estimates for expenditure during 1949, In the general discussion on the subject the New Zealand delegate, after welcoming the healthier position of the United Nations finances and administration disclosed by the Secretary-General's statement and the reports of the Advisory Committee, referred particularly to the need for consistency in voting by delegations in the various organs of the United Nations in relation to proposals involving expenditure. Throughout the detailed discussions on the various parts of the budget he supported the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions concerning the budgetary -estimates prepared by the Secretary-General, urging the need for all reasonable economy and a modest approach to the assumption of new responsibilities, especially where these did not relate to urgent problems .affecting the maintenance of peace and security. The estimates approved by the Committee for regular annual expenditure amounted to $32,483,750 and showed a reduction of $985,837 on the Secretary-General's main estimates. Supplementary estimates, however, increased this amount considerably. For example, provision had to be made for the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans ($1,347,000), the United Nations Conciliation Commission in Palestine ($3,000,000), the United Nations Commission on Korea { 5334,000), the Committee of Good Offices on the Indonesian Question ($215,114), the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan .($326,089), and the holding of a second part of the third session of the General Assembly ($356,000).

1 This Chapter is a summary. A more detailed account of the work of the Fifth Committee is available for consultation in the Department of External Affairs.