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as the date after which no Further registrations of eligibility should be made. In the meantime it was agreed that IRO should concentrate on an attempt to end its programme by the scheduled date, 30 June, 1950, and it was suggested that an early start should be made to deal with the problem presented by those refugees who are considered " ilnsettleable." Apart from attention to resettlement and repatriation, including the development of a world-wide transportation network, IRO has devoted considerable effort to the legal and political protection of refugees and displaced persons, to educational, health, vocational training, and rehabilitation programmes, and has also continued to enjoy support and co-operation from a large number of voluntary organizations. Two other features of IRO's operations have been the resumption of financial assistance to large numbers of Jews emigrating to Palestine and emergency plans to aid some 8,500 refugees in China. On 10 November, 1948, as a practical contribution towards the solution of the problems facing IRO, the New Zealand Government offered to accept a mixed group of 1,000 displaced persons. This offer, in making provision for a number of widows, orphans, and elderly persons, was described by the IRO as most encouraging and the first direct Government action on behalf of refugees who could not be resettled on the basis of their economic value alone. During February-April, 1949, a New Zealand Selection Team in Germany and Austria chose over 900 people, who are expected to arrive in New Zealand in June of this year. 10. International Civil Aviation The international aspects of civil aviation continued to occupy, throughout the period under review, a position of importance in the activities of the Department. The rapid development of international civil aviation in recent years and its impact on the political, economic, and cultural life of New Zealand have made it essential for the Department to maintain an active interest in this field. The continued extension of the functions of the Civil Aviation Branch of Air Department has relieved this Department of much of the work it formerly carried out in this field, but a considerable measure of co-operation and consultation between the External Affairs Department, the Civil Aviation Branch of the Air Department, and other Departments concerned has been maintained. The second Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), at which New Zealand was represented, was held at Geneva from 1 to 21 June, 1948. Representatives of thirty-seven contracting States, seven non-contracting States, and ten international organizations were in attendance.