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Freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively are characterized as " indispensible." Adequate labour inspection is held to be essential to the protection of labour, and, among other recommendations, it is requested of the Governing Body that the organization of labour inspection should be placed on the agenda of the first Asian Regional Conference to be held in China in 1949. It is further recommended that a technical conference of representatives of Government labour inspection services in the Asian region be held as soon as possible. Suggested terms of reference of such a conference are detailed. The resolution also notes with deep appreciation an invitation from the Government of Ceylon that this technical conference of inspectors should be held in Ceylon as early as possible and that the Government of Ceylon will be pleased to afford all necessary facilities for the purpose. It is recommended that each Asian country should prepare a national programme of action to implement the existing international labour standards (such programmes to be submitted to the first Asian Regional Conference), and a number of subjects which should receive attention in the formulation of such programmes are enumerated. A list of fifteen conventions is set out to which special attention should be directed by Asian countries. It is also suggested that the Governing Body should ask Asian countries for periodical reports on the action taken to give effect to the resolution. (2) A Draft Resolution concerning Statistics. —This resolution requests the Governing Body to arrange for meetings of labour statisticians from Asian countries to survey existing means of obtaining, compiling, and disseminating statistical data and to make recommendations on a number of points. The resolution springs from a realization that suitable methods have to be devised for the collection of statistical material, which will meet the peculiar requirements of the Asian countries, and it is suggested that a regional approach to the problem is likely to be fruitful. 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MEMBERSHIP OF PAKISTAN it was announced in the plenary session on 3rd November, 1947, that Pakistan became a member of the Organization on 31st October, 1947. When the State which was known as India was divided into the two States of India and Pakistan, the new India succeeded to the position formerly held in the organization by the one State of India. Pakistan now assumes the position of an independent member and undertakes that all conventions previously notified by India shall remain binding on Pakistan. The new State was suitably welcomed by the Conference. 8. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The members of the delegation desire to acknowledge gratefully the co-operation of the staff of the High Commissioner for Australia in India, and the Australian delegation to the Conference. Similarly, this report would not be complete without the placing on record of the deep gratitude of the delegation to the Government of India for the hospitality afforded them and for the transport and other facilities provided. In unfamiliar surroundings, and in a climate which the delegates found trying, these things were of no little significance. Finally, it must be said that Mr. Jef Rens, the Secretary-General of the Conference,, and his Secretariat carried out their onerous duties with that courtesy and efficiency which has become a tradition of the Organization.

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