There was group unanimity on the emphasis to be ascribed to the adoption of a definite system of current seasonal reports by each country, with major emphasis on forecasting probable production of the more important crop and livestock items. This proposal was chiefly advanced in the Venezuela and Argentina recommendations (Nos. 6 and 2) but received further strong endorsement by all participants in the discussions. Considerable strength appeared also for a flat declaration recommending that all countries immediately adopt the metric decimal system for official use in their statistical reports on agriculture (No. 5 Haiti, No. 18 Guatemala-Colombia). This system is already in use in nearly all Latin American countries and its universal adoption was urged primarily to assure ready comparison of agricultural statistics between countries. The United States member pointed out the potential failure of the recommendation with respect to reports and statistics for internal use in the United States, and secured approval of a modification limiting the application of the resolution only to certain summaries of U. S. data for international purposes and comparisons. The United States recommendation (No. 16) that all countries address adequate attention to fields of study to increase understanding and provide bases for improving the welfare and standard of living of rural peoples earned full endorsement about as submitted. The subcommission provided for full consideration of the subject at one of its last meetings, in which Dr. Whetten (U. S. A.), who had recently completed 3 years' study in this field of work in Mexico, was invited to participate. A final subject, that of initiating a study of the means whereby agricultural information services might be improved both within and between countries, arose within the subcommission from an earnest presentation and analysis of the present shortcomings of these services by Sr. González, the Mexican member. While not deemed strictly within the province of Commission VI (nor apparently of any other Commission), the subcommission believed its endorsement was appropriate and drafted a suitable resolution. WORK AND ACTIONS OF SUBCOMMISSION 2 Subcommission 2, concerned essentially with only a few major proposals relating to periodic agricultural censuses and the World Census of 1950, nevertheless left an imprint of thoroughness and positiveness on the products of their labor. The resolution submitted by the United States (no. 15) urging all countries to make adequate preparation for the 1950 World Census was more pointedly focussed on that year for the census in each country, by the deletion of the words "or as near thereto as possible". In the matter of cooperation with established international agencies in securing uniformity of plans, forms, procedures, and standards for such census there was considerable question whether it was necessary to specify other than an inter-American agency, which in turn would be expected to effect essential integration with any larger international organization concerned. However, the United States member (Mr. Tolley) stressed that since a sufficient number of nations, including a substantial number of Latin American countries, had subscribed to the charter establishing the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, and since the FAO obviously would be vitally concerned with world. census standards, etc., it was appropriate and timely to recognize these actualities in the resolution. Such action, he indicated also, would be a desirable corollary to the over-all recommendation being considered by the Commission on Resolutions urging full cooperation with the FAO. The subcommission acted favorably on the United States recommendation that reference be made to cooperation with both the Inter-American Statistical Institute and the Food and Agricultural Organization. Establishment of adequate legal and financial bases for periodic agricultural censuses (no. 1 Argentina and no. 9 Cuba) was the other principal subject to receive primary consideration. In this, the objectives were set quite high by positive emphasis on a census every 5 years. Provision was also included for the Inter-American Statistical Institute to aid in every possible way by coordinating attention and effort upon at least a minimum plan of census operations. A third subject of resolution, the main aspects of which appeared to be fundamentally related to census types of operations, was that of developing uniform nomenclature for agricultural machinery, implements, motors, tools and installations (no. 3 Argentina). FINAL ACTIONS OF COMMISSION VI Both subcommission chairmen submitted reports of the results of their activities to the full Commission at its third meeting on Tuesday, July 31. Chairman Pelayo and Chairman de Shelly each cited the excellent spirit of collaboration that prevailed, and the technical competence and studious attitude each member applied to the work of the group. The 8 resolutions presented by Subcommission 1 and the 3 by Subcommission 2 were read, discussed, and with few modifications, were approved as presented. The only change of any significance was made in the resolution pertaining to periodic censuses. Spokesmen for a number of the countries felt that to subscribe so rigidly to the goal of taking a census every 5 years would prove so unattainable to many countries with limited resources and interest that it might tend to discourage effort to do anything at all about an adequate census enumeration, even at longer intervals. Following full discussion, a modifying provision prepared by the United States member (Mr. Koenig) was approved, and inserted as the second section of the resolution. The resolutions approved by Commission VI were transmitted to the Conference Commission on Resolutions under the following titles: From Subcommission 1: 1. Improvement of the Technical Level of Agricultural Statistical Offices 2. Uniformity of Agricultural Statistics 3. Adoption of the Metric Decimal System for Agricultural Statistics 4. Inter-American Office of Agricultural Statistics 5. Close Relation Between Statistics and Agricultural Economics 6. Knowledge of the Rural Population 7. Forecasts of Crop and Livestock Production 8. Inter-American Agricultural Information Service. From Subcommission 2: 9. Agricultural and Livestock Censuses 10. World Census, 1950 11. Classification and Specification of Agricultural Machinery Commission VI held its fourth and last meeting on Wednesday morning, August 1, to consider the statement of its Rapporteur, Sr. Núñez, summarizing the work of the Commission for presentation to the Conference. President Peralta then announced that the Commission's business appeared satisfactorily completed, expressed his hearty appreciation of the active interest, and splendid spirit of cooperation demonstrated throughout the sessions, and commended the subcommissions for the thoroughness of their technical appraisal in digesting and expediting the matters for which the Commission was responsible. Subsequently, the Commission on Resolutions approved the proposals developed by Commission VI, with only a few significant changes. One of these resulted in the merger of proposals 1 and 5; the other altered the suggestion of an "Inter-American Office" in proposal 4, to a "Permanent Section. . . in the Inter-American Statistical Institute". Inter-American Council of Commerce and Production International Labor Office . . . United Nations Interim Commission on Food and Agriculture 71 II. Present Agricultural Production and Its Adjustments to the 86 I. Tribute to the Government and People of Venezuela 100 100 100 101 V. Executive Committee of the Third Inter-American Con- 102 VI. Holding of the Fourth Inter-American Conference on Agri- 102 VII. Monetary Stabilization and Exchange Rates for Agricul- 102 VIII. Agricultural Credit Conditions as to Maximum Rates of XIV. Development of the Production of Fibers on the Continent 108 108 XVI. International Commodity Agreements. 109 XVII. Orientation for the Promotion and Development of Agri cultural and Livestock Industries in the Continent 110 112 XXII. Encouragement of the Cultivation of Special or Industrial |