A.—l

The following might be typical cases and procedures : — (a) In some cases an international convention, in the sense of a formal agreement to be ratified by a large number of nations, would be the most effective instrument to accomplish the desired objective. Or the Organization might frame a model code or form of treaty as a guide to member nations. Either of these methods would be suitable for agreements on such matters as the standardization of terms, assaying samples, biological material of various kinds, weights and measures, containers, certain trade practices, methods of appraising the nutritive values of foods and the adequacy of diets, and measures for preventing the spread of diseases or of pests. [Art. IV.] (b) In other cases the Conference would act by means of a resolution or by adopting reports embodying proposals for action. Such a resolution or report might call for common action by the nations affected, the acceptance of common or related policies or changes in policy, or the creation of an institution for the common use and benefit of a group of nations. [Art. IV, XIV.] (c) Raising the nutritional level of the population will in many countries involve long-range programmes including the expansion and reorientation of production, the building-up of food processing and consumer-goods industries, the improvement of markets, and the expansion of such services as transportation and electric power. Complementary shifts in the production and trade of other countries would often be required in such cases, and outside capital and technical assistance might be needed. The Organization could perform a useful function by helping to determine the need for such far-reaching developments, drawing up plans, co-ordinating action by various countries, presenting the case for loans from international credit agencies, and furnishing advice and technical assistance in other ways. [Art. I, IV, XII.] (d) Similar but even more difficult problems occur in the case of countries or regions in which such developments and improvements cannot materially relieve the poverty and malnutrition of large masses of people in a reasonable time. In some regions chronic poverty is in part the result of age-old traditions, high net rates of reproduction of populations, and the lack of education, the inadequacy of roads and communication facilities, and the absence of opportunities for industrial employment. These problems are not insoluble, but they require long-continued effort and the co-operation of many agencies. The Organization should play a leading part in such long-term efforts. Where famine is a recurrent risk the Organization should obtain information on probable requirements and sources of supply, and facilitate arrangements with the Governments of member nations or with appropriate international agencies for finding the necessary men, money, and materials, free or on special terms. [Art. I, XII.] (e) Another type of problem concerns areas where climatic or other factors have led to specialization in the production of one or a few export products. Every practicable effort should be made in these areas to diversify production, grow more food, and provide alternative employment. Usually, however, the solution of the problem requires the enlargement of foreign markets for the export products of the area. (b) Advice and Recommendations on other Problems 46. In addition to dealing with the problems discussed so far, the Organization would furnish advice and make recommendations in many other cases, some of which will be of a more or less routine nature. The initiative in making proposals might be taken by one or more member nations or by the Conference. Suggestions might be made to the Conference by general or special conferences, by the advisory committees, by the Executive Committee, and by the Director-General. The Executive Committee should be especially well qualified to act as an intermediary for proposals for action to be considered by the Conference, which in turn would submit recommendations to Governments. The Director-General would not make recommendations directly to a Government unless it requested him to do so. [Art. IV, V, VI, VII.] 47. Although a distinction is drawn throughout this discussion between the initiation of proposals by Governments and by the Organization, the point should not be overemphasized. To exercise its functions effectively, the Organization would necessarily develop close working relations with Governments in the course of which suggestions and advice would naturally be exchanged. [Art. /.] 48. The Organization will be in regular communication with Governments in connection with their reports and statistical and other returns. Governments will both ask for and expect to be offered suggestions for action on their part which will amplify the information supplied and make it comparable for the various countries. In response to requests, the Organization might furnish expert advisers who, together with local officials and technical personnel, would constitute special committees or missions authorized to investigate and report in accordance with their terms of reference. In general, such inquiries would have in view the making of recommendations for action. [Art. I, Xl.] 49. Similarly, the Organization would increasingly have occasion to map out surveys and other undertakings—for example, a world agricultural census, to be repeated at intervals—to be carried out in co-operation with the Governments concerned. For these surveys, too, special committees or missions made up in part of local representatives would be effective machinery, and useful advice might be expected frequently to result. The Organization would also have regular advisory relations with national agencies such as nutrition committees and research councils. [Art. /.] 50. In addition, collecting and disseminating information would in themselves involve indirect advisory work which would have considerable influence. Each nation would be given the benefit of the experience of others, objectively examined as a subject of common interest. The force of example should lead Governments to find out more about conditions affecting their own people, and stimulate them to introduce measures for improvement which have succeeded elsewhere, and, equally, to guard against the repetition of mistakes,

8