A—7

of trade-unionists. Two members of the New Zealand delegation spoke in the discussion, Mr. J. Thorn, Government delegate, and Mr. A. W. Croskery, workers' delegate. The text of the New Zealand Government delegate's speech is appended to this report (Appendix No. 1). The Director-General in his reply to the debate promised that attention would be given by the Office to all the points raised by the speakers. He outlined his conception of the present role of the 1.L.0. in international affairs in the following words : Each and every one of us knows in his heart that we are drifting along a dangerous road ; that if war comes again we will be reduced to barbarism ; that our differences must be resolved through a process of social improvement and co-operative restraint and understanding. We know this. Therefore I say let us go about doing it. In this phase the 1.L.0. must play more effectively the role set out for it. That is why I stress participation in world reconstruction, technical assistance, freedom of association, regional activity. That is why I stress the need for human dignity, universality, elimination of unemployment, full and unreserved co-operation with the United Nations, executive action and a greater effort to have our work applied directly and more vigorously to the immediate as well as to the long-range needs of those we serve—who are, after all, the peoples of the world. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME Following on the proposal in President Truman's inaugural address of 20th January, 1949, for a programme of international technical assistance to under-developed countries and subsequent action by the Economic and Social Council in considering a comprehensive plan for such assistance, arrangements were made for the co-operation of the various Specialized Agencies, including the 1.L.0., in framing and carrying out such a plan. Accordingly the Director-General submitted tentative proposals for the participation of the 1.L.0., which were embodied in a report on Technical Assistance for Economic Development to be submitted to the ECOSOC at its Ninth Session, July, 1949. In view of the scope and magnitude of the proposed technical assistance programme and the desirability of ensuring that the 1.L.0. should be in a position to play its full part in the programme from the outset, the Governing Body had decided to bring the subject to the attention of the Conference and to ask the authority of the Conference for the participation of the Organization in the programme. The question was considered by a Technical Assistance Sub-committee of the Selection Committee, which submitted a report to the Conference containing the following main points : (1) The programme should be essentially a co-operative undertaking in which the 1.L.0. would work in the closest collaboration with the United Nations and with other Specialized Agencies. (2) The primary purpose of the programme should be to contribute to that increase in production and in opportunities for employment in the less-developed countries of the world which was essential to the raising of living standards in those countries and which would help at the same time to raise standards of living in the world as a whole. (3) It was vital to the success of the programme that such increased production should be used to raise steadily and progressively the level of consumption in the countries concerned. The wealth that would result from the development of natural resources through the mobilization of human intelligence and experience must be used to lift the conditions of life and labour of the masses of the people. (4) As an organization representative of the parties in industry as well as of Governments, the 1.L.0. would have a special opportunity and responsibility both to direct its technical assistance activities towards the achievement of these ends and to promote a wider understanding of the need for increased production.

5