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Reference was made to the work of the different sections of UNESCO, and objections to some of the less practical features were later answered by the Director-General. The New Zealand delegation remained convinced, however, that the more promising activities of UNESCO were being weakened by the demands of less satisfactory projects. This attitude was maintained throughout the Conference. ELECTION OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL After two private meetings of the heads of delegations, and a discussion by the Executive Board, M. Jaime Torres Bodet was recommended to the full Conference as the successor to Dr. Julian Huxley. The election of the Director-General is by secret ballot; but many delegations publicly declared their intention of'supporting the nomination, and it soon became clear that the voting would be a mere formality. The Mexican nominee was elected for the full term of office by thirty-eight votes to two, with one informal vote and one abstention. M. Bodet has an impressive record as an administrator and is an outstanding figure in the political and cultural life of Latin America. His election caused general satisfaction at the Conference. FUTURE CONFERENCES In their opening addresses the United Kingdom and New Zealand delegations both referred to the heavy cost of annual General Conferences and to their retarding influence on the work of the Secretariat. After taking notice of various proposals and discussions, the Executive Board made recommendations which were finally accepted by the General Conference as follows : (a) The fourth session will be a short business session, although opportunity will be given for general discussion of one or two major themes of UNESCO interest to be selected by the Executive Board. (b) This short fourth session will be held in the early autumn of 1949. (c) The fifth session will be of full duration and scope and will be held in the spring of 1950, to fit in—from that year onwards—with the proposed United Nations Calendar of Meetings of Specialized Agencies. The full Conference also accepted the invitation from the Italian Government to hold the fifth session in Florence.