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in Washington. Five exporting countries (United States, Canada, Australia, France, And Uruguay) and the thirty-seven importing countries of which New Zealand was one, signed a draft agreement as the result of the Conference. This document is subject to ratification by Ist July, 1949, and if it is accepted by a sufficient number of Governments it will apply to the crop-year August, 1949, to July, 1950, and the three successive crop-years. In preparing instructions to the New Zealand delegate the Department worked in close collaboration with the Wheat and Flour Controller, the Economic 'Stabilization Commission, and the Department of Agriculture to ensure co-ordination of the views of those Departments and agencies concerned with our production and importation of wheat. (d) United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund This Department has the task, in collaboration with the External Affairs and Treasury Departments, of administering the agreement between the New Zealand Government And UNICEF relating to expenditure of funds contributed here to UNICEF. This has involved purchasing goods in New Zealand as directed by the Fund, and arranging packing, marking, insurance, storage, and shipment. Details of contributions received .and of expenditure to 31st March, 1949, are given in Part IV of this report under the heading of the Accounts Section. Countries which have received UNICEF goods from New Zealand include Italy, Greece, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Austria, Finland, Rumania, Palestine, and China. (e) United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees During the year an appeal was made by the United Nations Organization in Geneva for foodstuffs urgently needed for refugees in Palestine. The New Zealand Government responded by sending quantities of selected foods purchased and shipped by this Department in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture. (/) Public Relations The Department, through the services of its Public Relations Officer, has assisted in the making of arrangements for the conduct of their business here both by visiting representatives of overseas Governments and by visiting traders and industrialists. The benefits-of this work accrue not only through the direct advantages of facilitating trade, but also through the intangible but nevertheless real contribution it makes towards friendliness and goodwill in New Zealand's relationships with other countries.

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