A.—sc.

Second Report op the Resolutions Committee. The Resolutions Committee continued its examination of the draft resolutions submitted to the Conference in accordance with paragraph 7 of Article 12 of the Standing Orders. The Committee reached the following conclusions with regard to the remaining four draft resolutions : — Draft Resolution concerning Smuggling in China, submitted by Mr. Chu, Chinese Workers' Delegate. The Committee, after hearing the author of the draft resolution, considered its receivability as regards the competence of the Conference, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 7e of the Standing Orders. The Committee came to the conclusion that the subject of the resolution was not one which fell within the competence of the International Labour Organization, and therefore decided not to transmit it to the Conference, which accepted the view of the Committee. Draft Resolution concerning the Collaboration of Burma with the International Labour Organization, submitted by Mr. Sen, Indian Workers' Delegate. The author of this draft resolution submitted an amended text which the Committee decided to transmit to the Conference. The text as amended is as follows :— Whereas Burma, which has hitherto enjoyed full membership of the International Labour Organization as part of India, ceased to be a part of India on Ist April, 1937 ; Whereas the Government Delegate of the United Kingdom has indicated the steps which the Governments of the United Kingdom and of Burma propose to take to ensure the continuation of effective Burmese collaboration with the Organization ; The Conference — (a) Expresses its cordial appreciation of the statement made by the Government Delegate of the United Kingdom on behalf of the Government of Burma that Burma recognizes that the International Labour Conventions ratified by India while Burma was part of India remain binding upon Burma, and that Burma proposes to submit her annual report thereon through the Government of the United Kingdom ; and (b) Invites the Governing Body to consider whether it is desirable that there should be included in future Conventions some provision permitting accession thereto by fully self-governing colonies, protectorates, and possessions which are not separate members of the Organization. This resolution was adopted. Draft Resolution concerning the Calling of an Advisory Tripartite Labour Conference of Asiatic Countries and the Establishment of an Asiatic Committee, submitted by Mr. Chu, Chinese Workers' Delegate, Mr. Sen, Indian Workers' Delegate, and Mr. Koizumi, Japanese Workers' Delegate. The Committee, after hearing Mr. Koizumi, one of the authors of the draft resolution, decided to transmit it to the Conference. The text of the draft resolution is as follows : — '' Whereas it is urgently necessary, both in the interest of the workers directly concerned and as a contribution to the economic prosperity of the world as a whole, to promote farreaching improvements in conditions of life and labour in Asiatic countries ; and Whereas the urgency of such action has once again been emphasized by the resolution adopted by the Asiatic Labour Congress held in Tokyo in May, 1937, urging that the attention of the International Labour Conference be drawn once more to the importance of establishing a Tripartite Asiatic Committee to promote this end : The Conference — (1) Notes with satisfaction that the resolution adopted in 1936 for the convocation of an Advisory Tripartite Labour Conference of Asiatic Countries and for the establishment of an Asiatic Committee has been examined by the Governing Body, and that efforts are being made to give effect to this resolution : (2) Notes that the resolution adopted by the Asiatic Labour Congress is further evidence of the widespread approval which the proposal to establish a Tripartite Asiatic Committee has obtained, urges the Governing Body to redouble its efforts for the realization of this object, and is confident that the members concerned will give the Governing Body full support. This resolution was adopted. Draft Resolution concerning the Generalization of the Reduction of Hours of Work, submitted by Mr. Mertens, Belgian Workers' Delegate, and Mr. Jouhaux, French Workers' Delegate. The Committee, after hearing Mr. Mertens, one of the authors of the draft resolution, decided to transmit it to the Conference. The text of the draft resolution is as follows : — The Twenty-thud Session of the International Labour Conference, examining the efforts made since 1931 by the International Labour Organization to reduce as far as possible the disastrous effect of the world depression on the economic system of all countries in general and on the working classes in particular :

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