The United Maritime Consultative Council is to meet in Washington

to consider a draft charter for an international shipping organization of an advisory and consultative character, and to make provision for an interim organization which will bridge the gap between the termination of the U.M.C.C. itself on October 31st and the establishment of whatever permanent organization may be decided upon.

It is proposed that if the charter meets with the approval of the Council it will be referred to the participating governments for acceptance.

This draft charter, a copy of which is attached was drawn up by a sub-committee of the U.M.C.C. pursuant to a request from the Secretary General of the United Nations • that the Council study the advisability of setting up an international maritime organization functioning as a specialized agency and reporting to the Economic and Social Council under Article 57 of the United Nations Charter.

Since shipping matters are left outside .the scope of the proposed Inter­national Trade Organization, it was felt advisable to consider filling the gap.

CONSIDERATIONS

The draft charter was drawn up by a sub-committee of the U.M.C.C. of which Canada was a member and has been examined by the Legal - Division of the Department of External Affairs, which considers it a suitable basis for discussion.

The organization envisaged. would be on a small scale as regards administrative framework and financial commitments, but would perform a useful function: first, by providing within the framework of the United Nations an expert body of reference for the consideration of such shipping problems as may be submitted to the United Nations; secondly, by ensuring that the greatest measure of responsibility for the solution of shipping problems rests upon those nations which are the major suppliers and users of shipping services (this consideration is in close agreement with the Canadian views regarding a functional approach to international problems); and thirdly, by assisting in the exchange of technical information and the solution of problems arising in that field, e.g. safety of life at sea, in which it is desirable to facilitate the development of standards on an international basis.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is accordingly recommended

(1) that the following persons be authorized to attend the meeting of the United Maritime Consultative Council to be held in Washington October 24th to 30th, 1946, in the capacities indicated:

Representatives—Mr. A. L. W. MacCallum, Canadian Shipping Board, Chairman of the Delegation.
Mr. A. L. Lawes, Canadian Shipping Board.
Mr. H. A. Scott, Commercial Counsellor,
Canadian Embassy, Washington.

Advisers —Mr. H. W. Dodwell, Canadian Shipping Board. —Mr. J. F. Frederickson, Canadian Shipping Board

(2) that the Canadian representatives be authorized to support any resolutions or recommendations adopted by the above-mentioned Council relative to the establishment of an international advisory maritime organization and to the interim arrangements therefore, subject to final acceptance by the. Government of Canada.