F.A.O.-THIRD SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE

The following are the views of the Department of External Affairs
on the agenda items for the forthcoming session of the Conference
[1]:-

1. Admission of New Members

The application of Siam should be supported. We see no reason to
oppose Finland and Austria.

2. Permanent Sites of F.A.O

New York should be supported.

3. Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges

There is no objection to agreement with the proposed convention
but our position should be made clear on the taxation question.

The Department of Taxation has indicated that exemption from
taxation cannot be granted to Australian citizens employed by the
United Nations or its specialised agencies, resident in Australia
and deriving their incomes from within Australia.

4. Agreement between F.A.O. and other International Organisations

No objection is raised to the proposed agreement with U.N.E.S.C.O.

and I.L.O.

5. Amendments Constitution

It is agreed that-
(a) A Council of F.A.O. should be set up;

(b) Australia should seek membership;

(c) Our delegation should support the Australian amendments in
preference to the immediate adoption of the American proposal; [2]

(d) A Council should replace the amended Executive as soon as
practicable;

(e) In the event of failure to amend the proposed Executive along
the lines proposed in the Australian amendments, the delegation
should support the United States proposal. [3]

6. Appointment of Director-General

Of the people at present being considered (Louwes [4], McDougall
[5], Bruce, Fitzgerald [6], Myers [7]) you should vote for
McDougall. [8] Full information on other people being considered
should be forwarded to this Department immediately.

7. Election of Executive Committee Members

We have no strong desire to be represented, though this is largely
a matter for the Department of Commerce and Agriculture.