A—2a

for adequate food, but that there was need also for medical officers, nurses, and social workers to care for the children in many countries victims of the war. In Poland, for instance, the number of doctors had been reduced from 13,000 (a very small number for the population) before the war to not more than 7,000, while, owing to prolonged malnutrition, the incidence of tuberculosis, rickets, &c, was much greater. Infantile mortality in all these countries is also appallingly high. The creation of an International Children's Fund to help national authorities to meet these special needs would be, it was generally agreed, a fitting and continuing monument to the invaluable work begun by UNRRA in this field. Supply Problem The most obvious fact in relation to supplies is that, contrary to previous impressions (as stated, for instance, in the preamble to Resolution 80, adopted at the third session), shipments to not be completed by the end of 1946, nor to the Far East three months thereafter. Accordingly, the fifth session resolved, in substance, that " whereas shipments have been delayed by shortages, work stoppages, transport difficulties . . . the Administration is authorized to arrange for procurement and shipment to receiving countries in Europe after the end of 1946 and in the Far East after 31st March, 1947." This was in line with discussions at the permanent Committee on Supplies, the twentyfifth meeting of which, as mentioned, was held in Geneva between sittings of the Council. Further, the Council urged " member Governments and others upon whom supplies and shipments depend to make every effort to facilitate the earliest possible completion of procurement and shipment against approved programmes." * The New Zealand Government already, as the Council was gratified to hear, had acted in the spirit of the resolution last quoted, for, on the eve of the Council meeting, they agreed to make available in sterling any balance of their second contribution which could not be used for the purchase of supplies in New Zealand. But a far greater problem looms ahead, and no further ahead than 1947 at that. For, as expressed in the Director-General's report to 30th June, 1946, " The problems which the Administration has attempted to meet will continue after UNRRA ceases to function " —ceases because of the exhaustion of its funds —" . . . The food emergency is expected to continue at least through the 1947 harvest." The same sentiment underlay a message to this session from the former Director-General: " There is no possibility that the urgent need for further assistance will have ceased by the time UNRRA ceases work ... I feel it is imperative that before UNRRA is liquidated there must be set up adequate machinery to carry on the unfinished work, either through the United Nations Organization or through other agencies, lest chaotic conditions and much increased suffering ensue and a considerable part of UNRRA's very successful efforts of relief and rehabilitation be wiped out. The greatest need for further assistance will obviously be in the care of refugees and displaced persons and in the furnishing of urgent food and agricultural supplies during the coming winter to the war-ravaged countries which are not in a position to finance foreign purchases." Spokesmen for one country after another expressed thanks for what had been done. Delegates from contributing countries, New Zealand amongst them by name, were asked to carry home sincere gratitude for their help —" their help in these hard times will never be forgotten by the Ukranian people " was one such expression. And the representative of China told how, of all international bodies, UNRRA was the best known to his people. Yet always, with the thanks, was anxiety for the future near ahead. Nor was the anxiety confined to the receiving countries. The fears of the DirectorsGeneral have been quoted. Their experts from the Bureau of Supply confirmed and amplified the estimates of shortages. Thus for Greece, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Yugoslavia (on the basis of allowing a diet of only 2,000 calories a day), shortages now estimated in the fourteen months, July, 1946, to harvest time in

8