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THE AGENDA The items drawn up by the Governing Body on the Agenda were: — I. Director's report (social problems of the immediate post-war period, with special reference to Europe; future policy and programme of the 1.L.0.) : 11. The maintenance of high levels of employment during the period of industrial rehabilitation and reconversion: 111. Welfare of children and young workers (first discussion): IY. Matters arising out of the work of the Constitutional Committee: V. Minimum standards of social policy in dependent territories: VI. Reports on the application of Conventions. The Conference met on Monday, 15th October, 1945, in the Sorbonne, and was attended by delegates from 48 State members of the International Labour Organization. There were present 167 delegates—i.e., 87 Government delegates, 42 workers' delegates, and 38 employers' delegates. In addition, there were 303 advisers—viz., 135 Government advisers, 96 workers' advisers, and 72 employers' advisers. The following countries were represented: United States of America, Argentine, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India,, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Yugoslavia. The Conference was opened at 11 a.m. on Monday, 15th October, by Mr. Carter Goodrich, Chairman of the Governing Body of the International Labour Office. On behalf of the French Government, Mr. Justin Godart extended a welcome to the representatives present at the Conference. Similar expressions were conveyed by Mr. Le Trocquer, President of the Municipal Council of the City of Paris, and by Mr. Roussy, Rector of the University of Paris. In his opening speech Mr. Goodrich referred to the strength of the International Labour Organization as disclosed by the number of member nations represented, the delegation including Ministers of the Crown from several nations and other distinguished leaders in the world of industry and the world of labour. The line of policy of the 1.L.0. was unmistakably clear. It leads straight on toward the linking of the International Labour Organization with the great new organization of the United Nations, which has expressed its own social objectives in terms closely akin to those of the Declaration of Philadelphia, ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT On the motion of Mr. Ness Edwards, Government delegate, United Kingdom, Mr. Alexandre Parodi, Minister of Labour of France, was unanimously elected President of the Conference. Mr. Parodi, who was one of the leaders in the resistance movement during the war, proved an excellent choice as President, and his appointment was regarded, as a tribute to the Resistance Movement and. the rebirth of France. In his presidential address Mr. Parodi stated, inter alia— I should like to tell you witli what joy France to-day welcomes the representatives .of the Governments, the employers, and the workers of the States; members of the International Labour Organization. France welcomes you with the more joy because -she has, ever since the beginning, had a great responsibility in the functioning of your institution. You would feel it very strange if, at a time when after so many events the International

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