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15. CONCLUSION Several speakers emphasized in the debate on the Director-General's report that Asia had now awakened. There is no doubt that more Asians than ever before are now wielding political power and engaging in administration. Judging by their experience at the Conference, the New Zealand Government delegates are convinced that the leaders of organized society in Asia are conscious of their responsibilities and sincere in their desire to better the conditions of their peoples. The burden of these responsibilities can be lightened through international agencies such as the 1.L.0., by means of which the more developed countries, including New Zealand, can give assistance without raising suspicions of foreign domination. The summary of the proceedings of the Conference given above shows the nature of the economic and social problems that are affecting the fate of Asian peoples to-day. It shows that in assisting Asian countries to grapple with these problems the 1.L.0. is adopting a practical approach. Specific questions were discussed with a seriousness that demonstrated their urgency and importance to the Asian representatives. Though the subjects of the Agenda raised differences of opinion freely and frankly expressed in the Committees, it is notable that all the resolutions as finally adopted in the Committees were approved unanimously in the plenary session of the Conference. This may be accepted as due to the democratic procedure of the 1.L.0. It is considered that the resolutions agreed to will, when carried through, form the basis for improved standards of living in Asia. Conscious of the great differences between conditions in Asian countries and those in our own, the attitude that the New Zealand Government delegates, and, indeed, the whole delegation, adopted at the Conference was one of willingness to advise and assist, rather than to criticize. The object was to help the Asian countries, in the labour problems which inevitably face them as they develop their economies, to avoid the mistakes made by the more developed countries in their movement towards modern techniques of production. New Zealand experience is relevant in this respect, and our system of labour inspection, conciliation and arbitration legislation, and minimum-wage-fixing machinery offer lessons which can be made use of by Asian Governments. Continued attendance of New Zealand delegations at Asian Regional Conferences is considered desirable, both because of the above-mentioned possibilities of assisting the 1.L.0. in its work in Asian countries by our experience, and the reputation of New Zealand in Asian eyes resulting from progressive social developments and an enlightened racial policy, which tend to give weight to its advice. A question which, though it lies outside the scope of this report, may be mentioned in passing is the possibility of additional trade relations with Asian countries, in the light of the economic development of Asia. The members of the Government delegation wish to place on record their sincere thanks to the Ceylon Government for its generous hospitality. In particular, they wish to express their thanks to Mr. Rajanayagam, the Commissioner of Labour for Ceylon, and his staff, whose thoughtfulness and efficiency helped so much to make their sojourn in Ceylon a memorable experience. They also wish to express their appreciation of the friendly co-operation, in all the proceedings of the Conference, of the Australian delegation. Their thanks are also due to the Trade Commissioner for New Zealand in Australia and his staff for the courtesies extended to them in transit to the Conference. Finally, grateful mention must be made of the Director-General, Mr. David Morse, and the Secretariat of the Conference. Their never-failing courtesy and the valuable assistance which they gave were decided factors in the success of the Conference. E. B. Taylor. H. G. Duncan.

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