9

an essential consideration in representation on the Council, the Conference is advised that regional and geographical factors should be taken into account. Thus under normal conditions Australia and New Zealand should rotate. The election was finally decided by secret ballot, and resulted in all the retiring member Governments being re-elected. This means that New Zealand will not be in a position for election to the Council until 1951 Conference. Chairman of Council Lord Bruce was re-elected to the Chairmanship of the Council of FAO under the same terms and conditions as for 1947-48. Lord Bruce intimated he would not be available for election after 1949, and Conference accordingly instructed the Council to consider the advisability of reviewing the position of independent Chairman and the conditions of his engagement. Fifth Session of the Conference The Conference received an invitation from the Government of Cuba to hold the fifth session of the Conference in Havana, Cuba. As this was the only invitation before Conference, and having been advised that the cost to FAO of holding the session in Havana and in Washington would be approximately the same in either case, the Conference accepted the invitation of Cuba. The session will convene in November, 1949. Some extracts taken from an interpretative summary of the 1948 Conference written by the Director-General are annexed to this report, together with a summary of " The Work of FAO, 1947—48," the report of the Director-General to the fourth session of Conference.