Economic and financial section > Committee for the Study of the Problem of Raw Materials : second session : second interim report

[Communicated to the Council
and the Members of the League.]
Official No.: C. 286. M. 187. I937-IIB.
Geneva, June 25th, 1937.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Committee for the Study of the Problem of Raw Materials
SECOND SESSION
SECOND INTERIM REPORT
I.
The Committee met for the second time on June 16th, and remained in session until June 25th,
1937. Its original membership has undergone certain changes.^
During the greater part of its proceeding the Committee divided into two Sub-Committees,
in accordance with the programme set out in the Preliminary Report of March 1937-2 The
First Sub-Committee was charged with the study of restrictions on the production and export
of raw materials and the second charged with the study of difficulties of payment. ^ ^
The two Sub-Committees were presided over by M. van Gelderen and M. Max-Leo Gerard
respectively. M. van Gelderen was elected a Vice-Chairman of the Committee.
II.
In response to a letter-questionnaire addressed to them individually, the members of the
Committee transmitted to the Secretariat memoranda dealing with the chief elements of the
problem which together provide a comprehensive survey of the present position.
Furthermore, in accordance with instructions received last March, the Secretariat had
assembled the essential statistical data required to serve as a concrete and precise basis for the
studies of the Committee. But, in the short time available, it was not found possible to complete
the documentation and the Committee therefore had to postpone the full analysis of the statistics.
The First Sub-Committee has agreed upon a provisional draft report setting out its conclusions
on the questions referred to it in regard to export restrictions, export duties, the exploitation
of natural resources, international regulations schemes and monopolies.
The Second Sub-Committee agreed upon a provisional draft report analysing the difficulties
of payment, whether they arise from internal policies of the importing countries or from restrictions
on trade of all kinds, including exchange controls, clearings, high tariffs and preferences.
1 In the interval between the two sessions, the Council appointed a new member, M. Antokoletz (Argentine).
On the other hand, Sir Henry Strakosch, member of the Financial Committee, has intimated that he does not wish
to continue to serve as a member of the Raw Materials Committee. . , , ,
In accordance with the decision taken at the first session, the Committee has been assisted by four experts from
countries in whose case the obtaining of supplies of raw materials is hampered by transfer and payment difficulties.
M. N. V. Badulesco, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law at Bucharest, Under-Secretary at the AI mist ry for b oreign
Affairs, Member of the Economic Committee of the League of Nations; His Excellency M. Nicolas Momtchiloff,
Bulgarian Minister, Permanent Delegate for Bulgaria at the League of Nations; His Excellency M- E; de Winchkler,
former Minister, Budapest; M. Bramsnaes, Director of the National Bank of Denmark; former Minister of Finance.
There were present at the meeting, in addition to the above-mentioned experts: M. Max-Leo Gerard (Vice-
Chairman), M. D. Antokoletz, M. Auck-LARiBk (substitute for M. Rist), M. Fernandes M. J. van Gelderen,
Mr. H. F. Grady, M. I. Hogbom, Sir F. W. Leith-Ross, M. F. Maurette, M. J. C. Muniz, M. V. Pospisil, Mr. N. A.
Robertson, M. G. Robles, M. A. Rose and M. Y. Shudo.
M. Stucki (Chairman) and M. Rosenblum were unable to attend.
2 See document C.182.M.128.1937.II.B.
S.d.N. 1.785 (F.) 1.535 (A.). 7/37- Imp- Kundig.
Series of League of Nations Publications
H. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL
1937. II.B. 4.
Jh.
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