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employment and action against unemployment (unemployment had risen to considerable proportions in some countries); and the need to increase the productivity of labour. Employment and unemployment were dealt with extensively, not only in the report but also in a special report on the matter prepared by the 1.L.0., while a United Nations report on the same topic was also referred to. Measures to increase productivity were, however, the most strongly stressed elements in the Director-General's report. This emphasis corresponded with the predominance on the Conference's Agenda of measures related to productivity—training of workers, industrial relations, remuneration, and farm labour. Practically all speakers in the discussion on the Director-General's report referred particularly to the problems associated with the increasing of productivity and to the importance of 1.L.0. studies, reports, and activities in this field. Brief notes on some of the main points of interest touched on by speakers are appended to this report, as also is the text of the New Zealand Government delegate's speech. FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY QUESTIONS The estimates of expenditure of the 1.L.0. for 1951 adopted by the Conference provided for a gross expenditure of 6,219,506 dollars, this representing an increase of 235,980 dollars on the 1950 Budget. The estimates of net expenditure, however, were 9,737 dollars less than the 1950 Budget (5,973,789 dollars for 1951). The main discussion centred upon revision of the scales of contribution. A general scheme based on the United Nations scale of contributions formed the basis of discussion. The New Zealand Government representative on the Finance Committee of Government representatives pointed out that by reason of New Zealand's geographical situation this country was involved in very heavy expenditure in sending delegations to 1.L.0. Conferences and that these expenses had materially increased as a result of devaluation. The Committee was informed that because of these factors New Zealand would find it increasingly difficult to send complete delegations to Conferences, but that a reduction in contribution would materially assist the New Zealand Government to send complete delegations. In the adjustments finally made to the scale of contributions for 1951 it is most satisfactory to record that New Zealand's rate of contribution for 1951 vsrill be 0-68 per cent, instead of the 0-93 per cent in 1950 —i.e., approximately 26-88 per cent, less than the rate of contribution for 1950. This will provide for a very substantial reduction in the contribution which New Zealand would otherwise have made to the 1.L.0. Budget. The New Zealand net contribution for 1951 is 37,552-31 dollars as compared with 53,166-33 dollars for 1950. It should be noted that the scale adopted for 1951 is a temporary scale only and that the matter will be subject to further examination before the 1952 contributions are considered at the next Conference. There was very little discussion of the various Budget items, members being generally satisfied with the reports in support of the various items submitted by the DirectorGeneral. INFORMATION AND REPORTS ON THE APPLICATION OF CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Member Governments are required to report each year in considerable detail on their activities in relation to international Conventions and Recommendations. These reports are subject to scrutiny, and the representatives of Governments concerned may be called before the Committee on the application of Conventions and Recommendationsto give information and to answer questions. It is satisfactory to be able to note that New Zealand continues to have a good record as regards fulfilment of her obligations,, and that the only points on which appearance was required were of a minor and merely technical nature.

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