AUSTRALIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE ORGANISATION
AND POST-UNRRA RELIEF

Reference is made to Cabinet Agendum No. 695C on 'Post-UNRRA
Relief' and to Cabinet Agendum No. 1322, on 'Australian
Participation in the International Refugee Organisation'. Cabinet
considered these Agenda on 16th April, 1947, when it was decided
to refer both matters to Cabinet Sub-Committees.

2. In accordance with this decision, a joint meeting of the Sub-
Committees was held on 8th May, 1947, at which the Treasurer, and
the Ministers for External Affairs, Supply and Shipping, Commerce
and Agriculture, Post-War Reconstruction and Immigration, were
present.

3. The Committees agreed that Australia should-
(a) join the international Refugee Organisation, and
(b) contribute to Post-UNRRA Relief, including the International
Children's Emergency Fund and the UNESCO Educational Relief Fund.

4. It was further agreed that an amount of A4,000,000 should be
appropriated for these purposes in 1947. This contribution on a
national income basis would be comparable to the relief
contributions the United States is expected to make. Our
contributions would be slightly less, proportionately, than those
proposed by Canada.

5. An Australian contribution on this scale would enable Australia
to continue to play the important role in all forms of Post-UNRRA
Relief that, as the fourth largest contributor, she has played in
UNRRA. It would mean, in addition, that we would play a major part
in vital international humanitarian services and assist in
promoting the political, social and economic stabilisation of
Europe and Asia.

6. In particular, speedy action by Australia in joining the
International Refugee Organisation would be widely acclaimed as
our joining now would mean that the I.R.O. would come into being.

Fourteen out of the fifteen signatures required have already been
received, and the Australian contribution would be sufficient to
bring the aggregate contributions over the 75% laid down as the
minimum necessary to commence operations.

7. Immediately on signing, Australia would become a member of the
Preparatory Commission of the Organisation and take a full part in
the planning and operative work of the I.R.O. Participation would
not involve us in commitments to take refugees into the country,
our freedom in this regard being unimpaired.

8. No attempt has been made to allocate the A4,000,000 in detail,
but the figure was arrived at on the following basis:-

(1) I.R.O. commitments for the first year amount to approximately
860,000
(This commitment is based on contributions of 1.97% of A1,600,000
administrative expenses and 1.76% of A50,353,000 operational
expenses.)
(2)An Australian contribution to Post-UNRRA Relief 2,750,000
(3) Bearing in mind that at least 250,000 is likely to be
available for the Children's Emergency Fund from UNRRA residuals,
a reasonable additional contribution would be 250,000
(4) Details of the contributions required by UNESCO for
educational relief and rehabilitation are not yet known, but would
be adequately covered by the balancing figure of 140,000
TOTAL 4,000,000

9. The Committees agreed that an inter-Departmental Committee,
consisting of representatives of the Treasury, External Affairs,
Supply and Shipping, Commerce and Agriculture and Post-War
Reconstruction should work out a detailed supply programme for
relief, recommend allocations among Post-UNRRA Relief, the
International Children's Emergency Fund and UNESCO, recommend on
allocations among countries requiring relief, and recommend
suitable conditions which might be attached to the Australian
relief contribution. This Committee would also report on means of
organising voluntary contributions.

10. IT is RECOMMENDED THAT
Cabinet confirm the recommendations of the Sub-Committees:-

1. That Australia join the International Refugee Organisation.

2. That Australia contribute to Post-UNRRA Relief.

3. That legislation appropriating 4,000,000 for these purposes be
introduced immediately.

4. That an inter-Departmental Committee consisting of
representatives of the Departments of the Treasury, External
Affairs, Supply and Shipping, Commerce and Agriculture and Post-
War Reconstruction be directed to report on:

(a) Details of the Australian relief supply programme.

(b) Allocation of supplies among the various relief projects.

(c) Allocation of relief supplies among recipient countries.

(d) The conditions, if any, to be attached to the Australian
relief contributions.

(e) The means of organising voluntary contributions. [1]

(J. B. CHIFLEY)
Treasurer

(H. V. EVATT)
Minister for External Affairs