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(b) To provide fresh rules regarding membership of the International Labour Organization: (ft) To substitute new arrangements concerning the finances of the International Labour Organization. While accepting the necessity for amendment of the Constitution, the view was strongly expressed, that the International Labour Organization should maintain its tripartite character. The Belgian Government representative, for instance, submitted a proposal that delegations should be composed of two representatives each from Governments, employers, and workers. This proposal was based on the assertion that the economic system in many countries had changed since the existing composition was decided upon, and that, as in such countries the previous free economic system was gradually being transformed into a State economy, Governments, as employers, should be represented by one delegate, the other employers' delegate, of course, representing private enterprise, .. . This proposal was strenuously opposed by the employers' representatives. Mr. Zellerbach, employers' delegate, United States of America, after drawing attention to the unanimous approval voiced regarding the tripartite set-up of the International Labour Organization, claimed that the adoption of the Belgian Government's proposal would inevitably result in the abandonment of that- principle. " The proposal," he said, " would completely change the basis upon which the International Labour Organization has successfully operated for the past twenty-five years." He was strongly supported in this view by other employers' delegates. Another suggestion submitted was that the Organization would take on a more democratic nature if the number of workers' representatives were increased. The Conference, as I have stated, accepted the principle of an amendment of the Constitution, and the whole question was referred to a special committee, given the name of " Working Party " —representing Governments, employers, and workers —for examination and report. This Working Party was: expected to meet in London on the 14th January last, and its report will be furnished to Governments pf member States. ITEM No. 5: MINIMUM STANDARDS OF SOCIAL POLICY IN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES . The Committee which was set up to consider this matter had before it the recommendations adopted at the Philadelphia Conference in 1944. These recommendations covered a series of twenty-six Articles divided into ten Sections, dealing with— Section 1: Wages and Thrift. Section 2: Labour Aspects of Land Policies; Section 3: Social Security; Section 4: Placing of Workers; Section '5: Hours and Holidays; Section 6: Powers of Labour Inspectors; Section 7: Conciliation; Section 8: Health and Safety in Employment; Section 9 : Information as to Measures adopted; Section 10: Definition and Scope. The lengthiest discussions centred around the questions of collective bargaining, land policy, and holidays.

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