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Section of the Department to the Japanese, the Korean, and the Indonesian problems. In addition, questions of international status have been raised by applications from Nepal, the Mongolian People's Republic, and the Republic of Vietnam for admission to various international agencies of which New Zealand is a member. New Zealand has actively supported the candidature of Ceylon for membership of the United Nations, and of Pakistan and Burma for membership of the Far Eastern Commission. It has also been found desirable to keep under review, particularly in view of their Commonwealth significance, the proceedings of the Security Council on the Hyderabad situation, the explosive possibilities of which were reduced when the Nizam formally withdrew his appeal to the United Nations, and on the Kashmir dispute, which showed an apparent improvement with Pakistan and Indian acceptance in principle of United Nations cease-fire and truce proposals towards the end of 1948. The Prime Ministers' Conference on the constitutional status of India within the Commonwealth, which was pending at the end of the year, was the occasion for a more general review of contemporary conditions in that country. After consultation with the Government of Burma, representatives of the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and Ceylon met in New Delhi on 28 February, 1949, for preliminary talks arising from Burmese requests for financial assistance. It was decided that the quickest way of restoring prosperity in Burma was to end the communal strife through conciliation. Although the conference was held at too short notice to permit New Zealand representation, the New Zealand Government was consulted and expressed willingness to attend further discussion if, as seemed probable, these should be necessary. The offer of conciliation has so far proved ineffective. There has been a slight increase in routine work and in official requests from Far Eastern countries for information on New Zealand. Correspondence has been maintained with the United Kingdom authorities on matters such as the protection of New Zealand citizens in China. 2. Japanese Peace Settlement In the New Zealand view a peace conference is long overdue, but no progress has so far been made in overcoming the procedural deadlock described in the annual report for 1947-48. 3. Far Eastern Commission Because of the delay in the peace settlement, the Far Eastern Commission maintains its importance for New Zealand as the international organ charged with defining Allied policy towards Japan during the interim period. New Zealand representation on FEC