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(B) Social Security (Item IV) (4) Income Security. -Under this heading the Conference adopted a very detailed and comprehensive recommendation setting out the specific objectives at which Governments should aim in formulating social-security programmes designed particularly to provide for such economic hazards as sickness, maternity, invalidity, old age, death of breadwinner, unemployment, employment injuries, and certain emergency expenses. The proposals made cover virtually the entire field of social insurance as well as certain forms of social assistance, from the standpoint of coverage, eligibility, benefit rates, contribution conditions, and administration. (5) Medical Care.—This was the subject of a further very comprehensive Recommendation setting forth the general principles and essential features of a medical-care service, including its form, coverage, relationship with general health services, financial supervision, and administration. (6) Social Security for Persons discharged from the Armed Forces and from War Employment.— Mustering-out grants, unemployment insurance and assistance, and pensions in the case of invalidity, death and medical benefits for persons discharged from the Armed Forces, were among the matters covered by this Recommendation. (0) Dependent Territories (Item V) (7) Minimum Standards of Social Policy in Dependent Territories. —The decisions reached by the Committee dealing with this item of the Agenda were formulated in a Recommendation comprising forty-seven articles setting forth the general economic and social objectives and principles which should guide the development of dependent territories. These articles include provisions on such subjects as slavery, forced labour, recruitment, contracts of employment, penal sanctions, employment of women and children and young persons, remuneration, health, housing and social security, discriminatory practices, inspection, freedom of organization, and co-operatives. Each of the seven Recommendations summarized above makes provision for members of the Organization to report to the International Labour Office from time to time, as requested by the Governing Body, concerning the measures taken to give effect to the principles set forth in the Recommendations. Other important decisions taken at Philadelphia included the adoption of declarations and resolutions dealing with the following matters :— (A) THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ITEM I) The " Philadelphia Charter " (printed here as Appendix I), as this declaration has become known, was intended primarily as a restatement of the aims and purposes of the 1.L.0. originally set forth in the preamble of its Constitution. In fact, however, the declaration constitutes more than a restatement of 1.L.0. aims and purposes : — (1) It defines in simple yet forceful language the basic principles and specific objectives which should determine all national and international economic policies in the future. (2) It sets out in positive terms the role which the 1.L.0. should play in the general task of promoting and expanding world economy which will " secure to all human beings irrespective of race, creed, or sex the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security, and equal opportunity." (3) It affirms that the 1.L.0. has a major responsibility to examine and to consider all international economic and financial policies and measures in the light of this fundamental objective. (4) It pledges the full co-operation of the 1.L.0. with other international bodies of a functional character in the common task of promoting the health, education, and' well-being of all peoples. . (5) Finally, it declares that the principles and objectives subscribed to are fully applicable to all peoples everywhere. The importance of rests not merely in what it says, but equally in the fact that it was accepted unanimously indeed, with real enthusiasm —by the representatives of Governments, employers, and workers of forty-one nations meeting together at what may well turn out to be the most critical moment in mankind's history. (B) CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS (ITEM I) Many of the Constitutional changes suggested in the report which the Office had prepared for consideration by the Conference (under item I of the Agenda) were referred to the Governing Body for further study in consultation with Governments- and other appropriate authorities. The Conference adopted three resolutions, however, embodying decisions affecting constitutional procedure :— (1) The first was a resolution dealing with (a) the procedure to be followed, supplementary to the normal procedure (which involves routing through the Secretary-General of the League) in the transmission of communications to the International Labour Office ; (b) the regional development of the Organization ; (c) the relations of the 1.L.0. with other international organizations; and (d) the appointment by the Governing Body of a Committee to report to the next regular session of the International Labour Conference on the future constitutional development of the Organization. (2) The second was a resolution seeking to preserve the international character of the responsibilities of the Director and staff of the International Labour Office. (3) The third was a resolution inviting the Governing Body to examine the possibilities of convening at an early date a regional conference of the countries of the Near and Middle East. In addition, the Conference adopted a report of the Committee on Items I and II which included a proposal, sponsored by British Government representatives, that the International Labour Office should proceed forthwith with the setting-up of industrial sections and that the Governing Body should be invited to develop regulations governing the activities of Industrial Committees.

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