U.N.R.R.A. COUNCIL

1. On food the Council will probably accept a compromise between-
(A) The administration and the receiving countries and
(B) in other countries, recommending action by all Governments.

[1]

Most of this action is now taken in Australia, but the
recommendation will also require full information as to export and
reasons for particular decisions. My view at present is that the
less said the better to reduce argument, but a system may be
worked out later by supplying countries.

2. For Australia this recommendation would require in the first
place reasons for a decision to send no more than the 25,000 tons
of wheat to U.N.R.R.A. in China, as reported by the Director
General publicly last week. The recommendation will apply to all
of our exports of wheat, flour, rice and fats.

3. It still remains to be decided whether the Council must meet
specifically within a few weeks to renew action taken. Our view is
that the Committee on Supplies [2] is adequate, but some
compromise is likely.

4. The Central Committee must continue with the subject. Subject
to your instructions I would resist any International Authority
over Australian exports, whether through an enlarged Combined Food
Board or otherwise. [3]

5. I see no advantage in belonging to the Combined Food Board,
involving Australia in compromises over allocations of United
States of America Food to the various occupied zones, on which
U.N.R.R.A. is very sensitive, but this can be decided later.

6. On China, Jackson is not surprised that we are dissatisfied.