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VII.—COMMITTEE II: FUNCTIONS AND POWERS Chairman : Mr Ivor Thomas (United Kingdom) New Zealand Representatives Rt Hon. W. Nash Mr C. G. R. McKay Mr G. R. Laking 41. There being almost complete unanimity among all delegations, the work of this Committee, though of fundamental importance, was completed in three short meetings. 42. It was agreed at once that the Commission should not be a separate authority from, but rather a voluntary association of, the six Governments who administer non-self-governing territories in the area. 43. Draft proposals on functions and powers were submitted to the Conference by the Australian and United Kingdom delegations. These proposals, and the approach of all delegations to the subject, were based largely on consideration of the Agreement for the establishment of the Caribbean Commission, but the Agreement was not followed in its entirety. The Caribbean Commission, for instance, is entirely advisory, except for such executive powers as it requires for the direction of research and the convening of the West Indian Conference. The South Pacific Commission Agreement provides, in paragraph 7, that " The Commission may discharge such other functions as may be agreed upon by the participating Governments." While no particular functions in- this category were discussed or agreed upon at Canberra, it was contemplated that, at some future time and with their prior agreement, Governments may find the Commission to be a convenient organ of collaboration between them in joint enterprises. 44. Projects recommended for early study by the Commission are mentioned in paragraph 9 and specified in an Appendix to the Agreement. 45. The United States delegation suggested that " human rights " be included among the subjects for attention by the Commission. As this phrase may be subject to differing interpretations (which is, in fact, a task of a United Nations Committee at the present time), the Committee decided upon the term " economic and social rights," and this is contained in paragraph 6 (a) of the Agreement as finally made. 46. The New Zealand delegation took the view that the Agreement does not create, add to, or take away any rights, but does promise development to the full measure of rights as they already exist. All participating Governments, of course, had already subscribed to the Charter of the United Nations, and particularly to Chapter XI of it, which is a. charter of rights for non-self-governing peoples.