IMMEDIATE

I.L.O. Report No. 25.

After considerable discussion it was agreed to permit the six
countries already on the Governing Body to hold office until the
next ordinary conference and to fill the two existing vacancies.

Our failure to gain a place on the Governing Body was due to an
arrangement between some European countries, particularly Greece,
Poland, Turkey and Czechoslovakia which had agreed to support
Greece and South American countries which had agreed to support
Peru.

Each group had indicated support for us as second to its own
nominee but pressure from the office and British to oust them in
favour of us and Egypt led them to make a bargain for mutual
support within the last twelve hours.

Further, it appears that part of bartering arrangement had its
origin in an agreement by the South American bloc not to press for
a general election and thus force these six countries now on the
Governing Body to face a ballot.

This suited Poland as her position was insecure. We secured some
European votes as well as Middle East votes such as Iraq, Iran and
Egypt. We also obtained two or three votes from South American
group clue to our active part here which has been appreciated on
all sides. Up until yesterday, we felt our prospects were good.

Current opinion earlier than [sic] indicated Greece had little
chance but the bartering arrangement was very strong and came at a
late stage which gave us very little chance to penetrate. In the
circumstances, I think Australia did very well to obtain 26 votes.

Voting was-Peru 33, Australia 26, Cuba [...] [2] Greece 30.

This line up of countries which are here regarded as fascist group
against the Commonwealth, America, Scandinavia and other
democratic states is something which we shall have to watch at all
conferences as they have the numbers.

The Office, the English-speaking group, Scandinavians, Luxembourg
are very disappointed and there is considerable ill feeling over
tactics which it is thought will react against South America in
future.

It is suggested by the Office that we might be substitute delegate
say to Canada in which case we would have the right to take part
in discussions of the Body without vote. What are your wishes?
As this Governing Body is elected only until next ordinary session
and not for the usual 3 years period and as it is re-examining at
our request the whole basis of selection of the first eight this
might prove a valuable arrangement.