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B. CONSTITUTION 1. Nature of the Constitution 84. The Constitution is so framed as to provide for the essential powers and duties of the Organization as envisaged in Section 111 Aof this report; to give scope for development within existing provisions according to circumstances ; and to permit of considered amendment to meet undetermined future conditions, including more particularly the future framework of international organizations. 2. Membership 85. Original membership is accorded to the nations represented at the Hot Springs Conference, as and when the Constitution is accepted by their Governments ; but provision is made for the admission of other nations to membership, with full rights, duties, and obligations, by a two-thirds majority vote of the representatives of all the member nations. [Art. ll.] 86. In view of these provisions, acceptance of the Constitution by twenty Governments is deemed to be necessary and sufficient for its entry into force. In reaching this conclusion, the Commission has had in mind the desirability, for the reasons indicated in Section 111 G of this report, of bringing the Organization into active operation at the earliest practicable date, and also the circumstance that under present conditions of communication acceptance by the Governments of several of the United Nations may be deferred for a considerable time. [Art. XXI.] 87. Initial membership is for a period of not less than five years. Because of the adverse and fluid conditions arising from the war and its aftermath, with which the Organization will have to contend during the early stages of its development, it is thought that five years is not too long a period for any nation to pledge its adherence and support. [Art. XIX.] 88. Provision is made for withdrawal of membership by any member nation after the expiration of an initial five-year period, withdrawal being subject to fulfilment of financial obligations to the date of withdrawal. [Art. XIX.] 3. Limitations on Powers of the Organization and on Obligations of Members 89. Adequate work covering the entire field indicated in this report will be only gradually achieved. Any change in functions which would involve modification of the provisions of the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote of the representatives of all the member nations, and no such modification can impose a new obligation on any member nation without its consent. [Art. XX.] 90. The particular obligations undertaken by member nations, by acceptance of the Constitution, are as follows :— (a) To make specified reports to the Organization [Art. Xl] ; (b) To contribute to the expenses of the Organization [Art. XVIII] ; (c) To accord appropriate diplomatic privileges to the Organization and members of its staff [Art. VIII] ; (d) To respect the international character of the responsibilities of the Organization's staff. [Art. VIII.] 91. As indicated in paragraph 89 of this report, the Constitution specifically provides that a new obligation cannot be imposed upon any member nation, by amendment of the Constitution, unless that obligation is formally accepted by that member nation. [Art. AX] 92. Subject to this restriction of the power of member nations to impose new obligations on each other, and to the further restriction that no amendment of the Constitution involving a new obligation shall take effect, even as among member nations prepared to accept it, unless two-thirds of all the member nations shall have accepted it, amendments may be made, and may take effect, on adoption by a two-thirds majority vote of all member nations. [Art. XX.] C. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT 93. The success of the Organization will depend on the quality, honesty, and usefulness of its work. It should be equipped to perform the wide range of duties proposed in the Final Act of the Hot Springs Conference, and should accordingly be readily adaptable to changing circumstances. The Governments of the member nations should be able promptly and effectively to determine its programme of work. The work done should be so widely known as to assure the full backing of public opinion and be of such high quality as to command the respect of all professional workers. The Organization should be in a position to keep itself fully informed of the needs, policies, and practices of member nations, and to draw on the advice and services of scientific and administrative experts throughout the world. The staff should be highly competent in the different fields of activity of the Organization ; and its character should be genuinely international. 1. The Conference 94. In order to assure the largest measure of responsible direct control to member Governments, the Conference should consist of representatives of those Governments. It would be advantageous if Governments were to adopt the practice of nominating to the Conference responsible Ministers having authority in the appropriate fields of activity, accompanied by persons with special knowledge in matters of food, agriculture, and public health. [Art. lII.] 2. The Executive Committee 95. The Executive Committee will facilitate action in the intervals between meetings of the Conference. Its members will be nominated by and its powers specifically derived from the Conference. The Constitution empowers the Conference to delegate to the Executive Committee any powers other than those prescribed in paragraph 2 of Article 11, Article IV, paragraph 1 of Article VII, Article XIII, and Article XX. The Commission regards it as important that the Executive Committee should be composed of persons who, by virtue of their administrative experience or other special qualifications, can contribute to the attainment of the purpose of the Organization. Subject to this primary consideration, the membership of the Executive Committee should reflect as varied as possible an experience of the different types of agricultural economy of the world. The Constitution provides that there shall not be more than one member of the Committee from any member nation. [Art. V.]

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