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investment and currencies, and sustained internal and international economic equilibrium, the food which is produced can be made available to all people. (5) The primary responsibility lies with each nation for seeing' that its own people have the food needed for life and health; steps to this end are for national determination. But each nation can fully achieve its goal only if all work together. (6) The first steps toward freedom from want of food must not await the final solution of all other problems. Each advance made in one field will strengthen and quicken advance in all others. Work already begun must be continued. Once the war has been won decisive steps can be taken. We must make ready now. One of the most astonishing truths that came out of the Conference is the fact that one-half of the people of the world have never had enough to eat. Some of the delegates brought evidence that the portion who were not provided with sufficient nutrition totalled two-thirds of the people of the world. These figures, which were given by various delegates at the Conference, do not apply to the war period. They cover the period prior to the war. It is quite possible that there are less people suffering from lack of nutrition during the war period than in the pre-war period. At the same Conference evidence was submitted that the food-production potential was sufficient to meet the demands of full nutrition for every person in the world. There is quite a long way to go before the full effects of the Conference proceedings can be seen. It is obvious that a country such as New Zealand, with such great food-production and much greater potential, can look upon the future of the world—if wise, careful, and well-thought-out trading plans are prepared and carried out—without the fears that previously came to the mind of every producer of agricultural commodities in pre-war periods, when slumps so adversely affected the foodproducing section of the community. One outcome of the Conference was the setting up of what is known as an interim Commission, which has devoted its attention principally to the drafting of a constitution for a permanent Food and Agricultural Organization. It is expected that the final draft will be considered by the Governments of the United Nations in the near future. The Government have taken part in all the work of the Interim Commission and has also made some contribution to the small initial costs of the organization. The second Conference dealt with relief and rehabilitation. This Conference was held in Atlantic City, U.S.A., towards the end of 1943. The primary purpose of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), which was established at Atlantic City, is to ensure that immediately upon the liberation of any area by the Armed Forces of the United Nations or as a consequence of retreat of the enemy the population thereof shall receive aid and relief from their sufferings, food, clothing, and shelter, aid in the prevention of pestilence and in the recovery of the health of the people, and that preparation and arrangements shall be made for the return of prisoners and exiles to their homes and for assistance in the resumption of urgently needed agricultural and industrial production and the restoration of essential services. It is proposed that the operations of UNRRA should be financed by a contribution of 1 per cent, of its national income from each member country, excluding those whose territory has been occupied by the enemy. On this basis the largest contribution, that of the United States, is estimated to amount to $1,350,000,000. Congress has agreed that this sum should be provided and has already voted $800,000,000 towards it, $450,000,000 by a new appropriation and the balance of $350,000,000 by a transfer from Lend-Lease Appropriations. The United Kingdom have authorized their full contribution, amounting to £80,000,000 and the other Dominions are taking steps to meet their assessments. The Commonwealth of Australia has introduced a Bill to its Parliament providing for a contribution of £12,000,000. New Zealand's contribution on a similar basis would amount, on the latest figures available, to the sum of £2,600,000, and it is proposed to subscribe this sum. In connection with the contribution there is a provision that a minimum of 10 per cent, should be in overseas currency, the balance being made available in the contributing country in the form of credits for the purchase of its own products. This, in effect, would mean for New Zealand that only £260,000 would be actually required in overseas funds, leaving a balance of £2,340,000 to be expended in New Zealand on commodities produced from her own soil,

UNRRA

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