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have special consideration ; so should those arising from requests for technical advice and assistance from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development or any other agency prepared to give material help to member Governments in expanding production. Much emphasis was given to the need for extension and educational activities if projects for developing and improving agriculture are to be put into effect on the world's farms. Noting that the services of expert technicians are often difficult to obtain, the Conference urged member Governments to grant their officials leave of absence for periods ranging in exceptional cases to as long as five years so that they might accept temporary service with FAO. The Conference also noted with concern that several projects which deserve high priority cannot be carried out because of lack of funds. As one means of stretching the available funds, it recommended that Governments assume a substantial part of the cost involved whenever they call on FAO for special assistance. This would apply to technical missions as well as to visits of FAO staff members undertaken on the request of a member Government. Action on this recommendation is to be postponed for a year, however, pending the preparation of a report by the Director-General for the Council. The Conference emphasized the need for obtaining advice from the Technical Co-ordinating Committee, which was established at the 1947 session but did not meet during the following year. This Committee,, it was suggested, should meet each year prior to the session of the Council dealing with the programme of work for the following year, and assist the Director-General in selecting a limited number of projects to form the basis of a four- or five-year programme. Also the Conference recommended that prior to the next annual session the Director-General convene regional conferences of Government representatives and analysts for the purpose of developing regional appraisals and co-ordinating national plans and programmes. A few points were given special emphasis in connection with the 1949 programme. For example, in the case of fisheries, attention was directed particularly to the need for greater exploitation of inland fish resources and for the provision of gear and other requisites for expanding fisheries production. In the field of rural welfare, emphasis was given to the need for expanding FAO's work on co-operatives by providing a consultative service to member Governments. Convinced that rice problems urgently demand concerted international effort, the Conference approved the draft constitution for an International Rice Council drawn up at the Baguio Rice Meeting but suggested changing the name to the " International Rice Commission " to avoid confusion with commodity councils. The Director-General was asked to proceed with the organization of the Rice Commission as quickly as possible. In forestry, the need for establishing forestry schools in all countries with important forest resources was emphasized. The Conference v urged all interested countries to participate actively in the forthcoming FAO Conference on world wood-pulp problems. The plans for 1949 for a Conference on Forestry and timber problems in the Far East and for a World Forestry Congress to be held in Finland were noted with approval. A recommendation was made that the Director-General convene a meeting of experts in agriculture, forestry, and grazing management for a concerted attack on the problems of land utilization in tropical and subtropical regions.