Evening star., 1944-08-23
Constitution Drawn Up
For Worldwide Food
Policy Organization

"OoA44l6tO1A " 10 ChHNSCC0 W UAAC
site of the inaugural meeting of
the Food and Agricultural Organ
ization of the United Nations some
time in January, ohicials of the
United Nations Interim Commission
on Food and Agriculture indicated
today following announcement that
constitution for what is planned
to be the first permanent interna-
tional organization evolved by the
United Nations has been drawn up
and submitted to "A governments
for their approval.
Of1cials said they hoped that the
representatives of the various gov
ernments will find it possible to ac-
cept the constitution in time to en-
able the new organization to hold
its first meeting not later than
January. The Interim Commission,
an outgrowth of the Hot Springs
\ conference on food and agriculture
in June, 1943, will then be auto
matically dissolved.
The new group, which officials at
a press conference said could be
described as an agricultural Inter-
national Labor Office" but not a
super world Agriculture Depart
ment," will be activated when 20 ma
tions have accepted the constitu-
ton. 1t is planned that Washing
ton will be the temporary seat until
such time as the members of the
FAC decide on a permanent head
quarters.
Seek Better Nutrition Standards.
Objectives of the FAC, which
would be achieved through studies
and the making of tions
to member nations, are Cd to raise
the levels of nutrition and standards
of living among all people, CD to
secure Improvements in the effici-
ency of the production and distri-
button of all food and agricultural
products, 90 to better the condition
of rural populations and a. to con-
tribute by these to an expanding
world economy.
L. B. Pearson of Canada, chair
man of the interim commission,
reported that the constitution as
drawn represented close study for
over IL months and had been unan-
imously agreed on by the indi-
vidual members of the commission.
He stressed, however, that it does
not binu the governments repre-
sented on the commission. 1t should
not be construed as a treaty, but
rather as an agreement, he said.
Paul H. Appieby, former Under
secretary Of Agriculture and United
States delegate to the commission,
INTERCEPTED that it was not even an
agreement, but only a recommends
tion." The decision as to whether
this country will accept the consti-
tuition rests with Congress, he added.
U. S. Share S625,o00 in Year.
The United States, under a provi-
sional budget calling for q total of
$2,5O0,000 during FAO's first year,
would contribute Is per cent, or
$625 900, officials said. Other menl-
Der nations contributions would
include the United Kingdom, Is
per cent; Russia, per cent; China,
65 per cent; France, $50 per cent;
Canada, sos per cent, and India,
425 per cent. Smaller countries,
such as Liberia, Iceland and Haiti,
would share on 0.05 per cent basis
Of the total. The budget for the
next five years Is estimated at S.
OOO, 900.
Mr.. Pearson several times stressed
that each member nation, regard
less Of its size, would have an equal
voice in the organizations opera
tions, with no member alone hav-
ing the power Of veto. Decisions
would require a two-thirds vote Of
the membership.
Questioned as to whether the way
is open for Germany and Italy to
join the organization In the post
war world, Mr.. Pearson said the
constitution provides that additional
members may be admitted by two
thirds vote. Members hope that neu-
trail countries would join at an early
date, he added.
No Barriers to Sanctions.
While admitting that FAC could
take no punitive action in connec-
ton with any of its recommended
tions for improving the worlds
agriculture, the chairman said there
was nothing in the constitution to
prevent it from recommending agri-
cultural sanctions against q country.
FAC will not be directly concerned
with relief, officials said, but will have
permanent responsibilities in rela-
ton to long-term problems through
out the world.
Pointing out that the objectives
of the proposed organization are
fundamentals Of a lasting peace"
Mr.. Pearson declared in q prepared
statement that he believed the
FAC rs a permanent embodiment
Of the kind Of international CO.
operation which men and women all
over the world have hoped would be
= l.