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completed. Since 1940 coffee, petroleum, and rice have come under review, and the marketing of accumulated stock of Dominion-grown wool came under the control of U.K. - Dominion Wool Disposals, Ltd. The problems associated with individual primary commodities are to a great extent international in their incidence and effect, but have never been treated in a co-ordinated and systematic manner. The problems have been reviewed by some of the producer interests only—consultations on an international basis have not been possible, consumer interests have not been fully considered, and no attempt has been made to correlate action on related commodities. The necessities of war brought about some international management of many commodities, and focused attention on the desirability of a greater degree of co-ordination. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations at its Hot Springs and subsequent conferences devoted much time and thought to general methods of commodity control, and has taken a leading role in securing an acceptance of the practicability of utilizing inter-governmental agreements as instruments of an expanding economy for food products. Following upon the interest created internationally in the co-ordination of policy related to trade in primary products, it was natural that international agreements and machinery for their formulation and administration should be incorporated in a wider trade policy as an integral part of the Trade and Employment Charter. The Preparatory Committee at its various conferences has worked towards the formulation of a practical code for the co-ordination of all interests, and has closely collaborated with the Food and Agricultural Organization throughout its deliberations. The result of this effort is contained in Chapter VI of the Charter. The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations has taken a keen interest in the development of a code of objectives and procedures relative to commodity agreements, and, recognizing the urgency for action in respect of certain products, has requested that the principles contained in the Charter be used as a guide in discussions taking place prior to a general acceptance of the Charter by Governments. Thus we have had the example of a wheat conference and a rice-study group working in close conformity with the provisions of Chapter VI prior to the completion of the Havana Conference. The importance of the provisions contained in Chapter VI can best be realized if we have a proper appreciation of the following points:— (a) International trade as envisaged in the Charter to a great extent revolves round export and import of food products and raw materials in their primary or partially processed form. (b) It is accepted that trade in primary and related products is particularly susceptible to special difficulties. Consumer demand and price fluctations due to disequilibrium between production, and consumption may result in economic chaos.
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