Cablegram 1338 CANBERRA, 17 November 1947, 4.20 p.m.
Your 1509. [1] U.N.R.R.A. in China.
We are still in favour of retention of international control as
expressed in our 1313. However, we do not wish to take a strong
minority stand against the Chinese Government on this issue. If,
therefore, the situation remains as suggested in your 1509 and
advocacy of retention of international control would definitely
place us in a minority, you should acquiesce in the modified
C.C.F.E. proposals. [2]
1 Dispatched 13 November. It reported that other members of the
Central Committee had reversed their attitude to the alternative
proposal outlined in Document 77 and were prepared to accept the
Administration's original proposal. A modification proposed that
the international members of the Board of Trustees would be
selected by the Chinese government instead of being nominated by
UNRRA.
2 Australia voted with the other members of the committee at the
meeting on 17 November which transferred responsibility for the
completion of the UNRRA program to the Chinese government.
Trade and Finance
INTERNATIONAL TRADE ORGANISATION AND GATT
The Australian delegation to the first session of the Preparatory
Committee of the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Employment, which was held in London from 15 October to 26
November 1946, was led by H.C. Coombs. The Preparatory Committee
appointed a Drafting Committee to examine the draft charter for
the proposed International Trade Organization. The draft charter
is contained in the 'Report of the First Session of the
Preparatory Committee', Commonwealth Parliamentary Papers, 1946-
47-48, vol.II p. 363.
Australian preparations for the second session of the Preparatory
Committee were supervised by the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Trade
and Employment which comprised J.B. Chifley, H.V. Evatt, J.J.
Dedman, R.T. Pollard and B. Courtice. N. Lemmon also participated
in his capacity as Minister assisting the Treasurer.
