17

2—A 18

Conference confirmed the Budget Sub-Commission's decision to reduce the allocation for the Department of Exchange of Information, by approximately SIOO,OOO. Publications There was evidence that more interest was being taken by themember States in UNESCO's publishing activities. The Committee of Fifteen gave a great part of its time to discussion of this question.. Mr. Holcroft, who represented New Zealand on the Committee, was also a member of a Committee on Publications appointed by the meeting of representatives of National Commissions. The report of the Committee on Publications was referred to the Committee of Fifteen by the Administrative Commission, and this document provided the basis for a general policy on publications which later went before the Budget Sub-Commission. The New Zealand delegation was particularly anxious to bring about an improvement in the quality and distribution of The Courier. At meetings of the Committee on Publications and in private conversations, the delegate obtained facts about the conditions under which, the journal was being produced. He then placed before the Committee his views on what was needed to make The Courier an international publication of value to UNESCO, and he framed a resolution which was incorporated in the Committee's report. The resolution was accepted by the meeting of representatives of National Commissions ; but when it came before the Committee of Fifteen there was some opposition to it, on the grounds that it had budgetary implications. The New Zealand delegate explained his attitude at some lengthy and was well supported. The Courier was an international newspaper, and although it was not yet what it could and should be, the foundations had been prepared. If the paper were to be made effective, however, two requirements were essential—an improvement in quality and a wider distribution. The delegate reminded the Committee that thousands of school-children were receiving their first impressions of UNESCO from the columns of The Courier. He suggested that the editorial staff should give more attention to prominent personalities who visit UNESCO House. There should be articles of general interest on cultural themes, not necessarily tied to resolutions and programme projects. These ideas were finally embodied .in the report from the Joint Committee to the Conference.. In order to facilitate a wider distribution, the Director-General was instructed to negotiate with member States to develop plans for the reproduction of The Courier by National Commissions. It was