Costos fijo y variables

F I R S T M E E T I N G

Held on Saturday, 30 November 1946 at 10. 30, a. m.

Dr. HUXLEY opened the meeting, and the Sub- Commission approved the nominations of Pro- fessor BHABHA (India) as Chairman, Professor OSORIO DE ALMEIDA (Brazil) as Vice-Chairman, Professor AUGER (France) as Rapporteur and Pro- fessor M. FLORKIN (Belgium) as Deputy Rappor- teur.

Professor BHABHA thanked the Sub-Commission for having appointed him Chairman. He pointed out that documents Unesco/Prep.Com./Nat.Sci. Com./13 to 16, were a summary of the information contained in the report on the Unesco Programme Science ”

(green booklet) and the pamphlet “ Unesco and (white booklet). He therefore suggested that the Sub-Commission should take documents 13 to 16 as a basis of discussion.

The Agenda was adopted, and the Chairman call- ed upon Dr. NEEDHAM, Head of the Sciences Sec-

tion.

Dr. NEEDHAM reminded the meeting that the aim of the Sub-Commission was to encourage inter- national scientific co-operation. He was convinced that such co-operation could not fail to exist in the future.

He then gave some information concerning do- cuments Unesco/Prep.Com./Nat.Sci.Com./13 to 16.

Document 13, he said, was a summary of the directives contained in the green and the white booklets. On page 3, the various proposals of the Secretariat were presented in a way that recalled the resolutions; opposite each were indications re- ferring to the various pages of the green and white booklets. In the last column there were figures re- ferring to the various points of the budget of the Sciences Section (see document Unesco/Prep. Com./Nat.Sci.Com./14).

The Programme Commission contemplated three sub-divisions of projects :

A) projects to be undertaken in 1947. B) projects to be studied in 1947.

C) projects to be postponed.

It was often difficult to differentiate between projects that came within category A and those in category B. This was why the projects of cate- gory A and B had been listed together in docu- ment 13. Those of category C were grouped in document 13 a.

Document 14 gave an analysis of the budget for this Section, the presentation adopted being that of the Science Section of the Secretariat and not that of the United Nations, as in “ the Report on Administrative and Financial Provisions ” (grey booklet).

Document 15 contained a draft report which

the Sub-Commission proposed to forward to the Programme Commission.

Lastly Document 16 was a list of international scientific organizations with which the Secretar- iat was already in touch.

On page 77, French version of the grey booklet, it would be, noticed that the general budget allocates 14.5 % to the Sciences Section, corres- ponding to I million U. S. dollars. The Sub-Com- mission would have to examine the recommen- dations it wished to forward to the Programme Commission on this point, particularly if the gene- ral budget was reduced.

Dr. Needham then pointed out that during the war he had worked in Asia in close touch with Asiatic scientists. He referred to the isolat- ion of certain scientists in various parts of the world. From a scientific point of view, it was ne- cessary to differentiate between enlightened zones which included Western Europe and North Ame- rica, and less enlightened ones, such as Asia, Africa, and South America. In the latter, which were usually non-industrialized areas, it was necessary that Unesco should endeavour to develop science and at the same time raise the standard of liv- ing.

Unesco would therefore pursue a two-fold aim : in the more backward areas, it would endeavour, as stated in Section 2 of document 13, to create regional offices for scientific co-operation on the lines of liaison machinery during the war. In more developed areas, Unesco would try to assist in- ternational scientific unions, as indicated in Sec- tion 3 of document 13.

Document 16 contained a list of internatio- nal scientific organizations already in existence. Unesco’s business would be to revive those which were working at reduced pressure and to establish new ones.

The speaker emphasized the importance of in- ternational scientific unions everywhere, and of the International Council of Scientific Unions esta- blished in 1919. As a rule, scientific unions had very limited funds; and it was the duty of Unesco to help them by grants, as mentioned in document 14. Lastly Dr. Needham said that to regulate the legal relations between Unesco and the scientific unions, a draft agreement had been concluded be- tween Unesco and the International Council of Scientific Unions.

The second part of Dr. Needhani’s speech was concerned with the practical tasks which Unesco proposed to undertake, among which were the following :

— Unesco’s participation in the work of rehabi- litation in war-devastated areas by the purchase and transport of scientific apparatus :

— The improvement of the present deplorable position as regards free circulation of scientific works and journals;

— Study of the question of the establishment of International laboratories and observatories. This would involve obtaining supplementary funds from the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, which would be administered by Unesco, the direction of the scientific work being left to the International Scientific Union;

— Travelling scholarships for scientists; — The establishment of International Advisory Councils for mechanical, medical and agricultural science.

servations of his delegation had been distributed to delegates in the form of a memorandum.

The representative of the Food and Agricultu- re Organization of the United Nations assured the Sub-Commission of the close co-operation of his organization with Unesco by means of perman- ent committees or committees meeting periodic- ally.

The CHAIRMAN emphasized the importance of this matter, which in any case was on the Agenda of the Sub-Commission.

In his statement, Dr. Needham did not refer to a number of other matters, which would be consid- ered in detail by the Sub-Commission during the general discussion. Finally, he recalled the part taken by his colleagues in developing international scientific co-operation and stressed the importance of this work.

S E C O N D M E E T I N G

Held on Monday, 2 December 1946 at 10.45. a. m.

Chairman : Professor BHABHA (India). On the proposal of the CHAIRMAN, the Sub-Com-

mission adopted unanimously and without discus- sion a draft resolution by Dr. Needham to the following effect :

Items V and VI of the Agenda (projects sub- mitted by the Secretariat and proposals from de- legates) (continuation).

“ The Sub-Commission on Natural Sciences approves the formal draft agreement between Unesco and the International Council of Scien- tific Unions and recommends that the Legal and External Relations Sub-Commission do like- wise. ”

Speaking on behalf of the INDIAN delegation, the CHAIRMAN commented on the Indian propo- sal, which was to be roneoed and distributed dur- ing the morning; it consisted of two parts : The Sub-Commission then considered Items V

and VI of the Agenda, namely : General Discus- sion on the Reports Submitted, and Presentation of New Proposals by Delegates.

The CHINESE delegate approved the division of the projects into three categories : A, B and C, but did not understand why reparations in the form of scientific material should come under Group C. In his opinion, the recovery of scienti- fic material-was inseparable from the scientific re- construction of war-devastated countries and was consequently particularly urgent. He asked that the reparations question be transferred from Ca- tegory C to Category A.

(a) as far as they were research problems, ques- tions of nutrition and disease were within Unesco’s competence. India was unfortunately still a fer- tile field for research : malnutrition and various diseases, which today were unknown or almost unknown in other countries, were widespread. It was therefore to be hoped that team’s of research- workers would be sent to India, where they would find laboratories and research institutes at their disposal. But the Government of India could not grant them any financial assistance, and Unesco should therefore undertake the responsibility.

— 1 6 8 — Moreover, he strongly recommended the esta-

blishment of regional offices for international scien- tific co-operation, of clearing houses for scientific publications on the principle of decentralization, and of centres for applied mathematics, and urged the importance of facilitating travel for scientists. The UNITED STATES delegate made a statement on the great contribution science could make to world peace. The following should be considered specially :

(b) Fish, which was much used in India as an article of diet, provided enough proteins to feed the enormous riparian populations of the Indian Ocean. The Indian delegation therefore proposed the creation of an Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries for the Indian Ocean.

The delegate of MEXICO approved in principle

I. The great influence exerted in their own countries by scientists who, thanks to many years of co-operation, had achieved great mut- ual understanding and respect and a strong idea of international co-operation.

2. The general importance of science in the development of a prosperous world community through the ever-increasing part played by com- munications, radio, etc.

the document submitted by the Preparatory Com- mission, but considered that one project was di- rectly opposed to the spirit of Unesco : namely, that scientific apparatus should be included among. reparations (WB/E, p. 12, A, I). This was likely

to disorganize existing laboratories. This project was contrary to the aims of Unesco outlined else- where (GB/E, p. 100, last paragraph; id. page 92, lines 15-21, and third paragraph : WB/E, p. 17, lines 18-26; id. page 7 last seven lines).

Referring to the budget, the UNITED STATES

delegate considered that, after 1947, the Science Section would require a larger budget and one more in keeping with the essential work of this branch of Unesco.

He therefore moved a resolution to extend the terms of lines 11-14 of WB/E, p. 17 as follows : “ Unesco should invite all countries needing equip- ment to participate in some sort of rationing scheme which would include the former Axis coun- tries and which would secure an equitable distrib- ution of apparatus according to the needs and possibilities of each country.”

He remarked finally that the proposals and ob-

The CHAIRMAN specified that reparations did

not in the least imply the dismantling of existing laboratories, but only furnishing articles from existing stocks or surplus production. He proposed that, to avoid ambiguity, the Secretariat should redraft the proposals.

The delegate of BRAZIL, commenting on the re- solution submitted by his delegation (Unesco/ Prep.Com./Nat.Sci.Com./19) stated that Unesco could do far more in the scientific field than in any other. In order to take effective action in favour of peace, projects of a concrete nature must have priority over others.

The Hylean Amazon project, for instance, was not of regional, but of international importance; it might lead to the creation of a centre of active production in the near future. The Brazilian dele- g a t e s u p p o r t e d t h e p r o p o s a l s r e c o m m e n d i n g research groups working on the spot; offices to sup- ply information to backward countries; and labo- ratories for the preparation of chemically pure substances and artificial radio-active elements.

The delegate of GREECE signified his full approv- al of Dr. Needham’s speech on the programme of the Natural Sciences Section. He thought that the different proposals in Chapter V gave a very clear idea of the tasks devolving upon Unesco, and he approved their principle.

He added that he was entirely in agreement with the delegate of China on the question of repa- rations and the rehabilitation of scientific labora- tories. In the devastated countries, there was a great dearth of material in laboratories and schools of medicine. He hoped that the Sub-Commission would give immediate priority to the question of reparations in the form of scientific equipment.

The CZECHOSLOVAK delegate drew attention to

rationalization in the field of scientific publications and made the following proposal :

‘‘ That Unesco, in collaboration with the In- ternational Council of Scientific Unions, should take up the question of reviving scientific jour- nals whose publication had been suspended, as well as the establishment of new journals, and that this question should be examined from the viewpoint of the rationalization of publications and distribution in different countries.” The CZECHOSLOVAK delegate pointed out that this question had been included in Document 13, but he thought that, at least in part, it should be studied as a matter of urgency.

The delegate of BRAZIL observed that the ques- tion of the Amazon basin should interest not only Brazil and South American, but also all countries with geographical conditions similar to those of America, the countries to which these territories belonged and the United States.

Turning to the question of the limited scientific development of the so-called “ dark ” zones, the Brazilian delegate argued at length on the need for ascertaining the reasons for this defective deve- lopment and for trying to find the remedy. For this, recourse must be had to scientists in those areas, from whom the necessary information must be obtained by means of questionnaires. He thought the question was of some urgency.

The delegate of FRANCE agreed with the gener- al directives in the Secretariat’s document, but formulated the following observations :

(a) He thought there was a contradiction in placing the question of rehabilitation in Cate- gory A, and the question of reparations in Ca- tegory C.

(b) He stressed the importance of securing universal application of the metric system.

(c) It was necessary to build up stocks of pure chemical products to be made available to all countries.

(d) He disagreed with the idea of an auxi- liary international language for sciences. The French delegate concluded by declaring that the effectiveness of Unesco depended upon how it would utilize and influence existing inter- national organizations.

The Sub-Commission then examined the direc- tives proposed by the Secretariat, item by item.

Item I.

Dr. NEEDHAM re-read the statement by the Chi- nese delegation, which concluded with a proposed amendment of Item I. He also mentioned that the term ‘‘ reparations ” did not mean the “ dis- mantling of existing laboratories ’’,but only “ com- pensation in the form of deliveries of manufactur-

ed products ’’

A general discussion arose on this matter, at the end of which the Sub-Commission agreed to transfer the question of reparations from Cate- gory C to Category A. The Sub-Commission unan- imously adopted the addition of a paragraph 2 to Item I :

“ And to recommend to the United Nations the adoption of a policy of reparations in the form of recently manufactured scientific materials or in the form of commercial or government stocks accumulated by the former Axis countries, for the scientific rehabilitation of war-devastated countries ’’.

On the proposal of the UNITED KINGDOM dele- gate, it was decided to add to the document, in the form of an instruction, the following words : “ that the Secretariat inform the Executive Board of the adoption of this resolution ’’.

T H I R D M E E T I N G

Held on Monday, 2 December 1946 at 3 p. m. Chairman : Professor BHABHA (India).

Item I.

The discussion was resumed on Item I, page 3 of Document 13.

The Sub-Commission adopted in the form of an Annex, a resolution proposed by the UNITED

STATES delegate, stipulating that, in the transfer

of scientific equipment for the rehabilitation of devastated areas, all precautions should be taken not to impair normal scientific activity in the country whence this equipment came.

The Sub-Commission adopted an amendment by the delegate of GREECE providing that use should be made not only of stocks in shops and factories, but also, in some cases, of government stocks.

The delegate of AUSTRALIA having asked for particulars concerning the appropriation in the supplementary budget of 100,000 dollars for scien- tific reconstruction, Dr. NEEDHAM explained that nothing had yet been decided on this matter, and that in any case the supplementary budget had not been voted. The CHAIRMAN thought that exa- mination of this question could be deferred.

Item 2:

The following amendments to the text were pro- posed and adopted :

I. ‘‘ To establish a series of field science co- operation offices beginning in those regions...” 2. ‘‘ Beginning, in 1947, with four offices : two in the Far East, one in the Middle East, and one in Latin America.”

3. To omit the words “ three to four” in r e - ference to the number of scientific men to staff these offices.

After the word ‘‘ union ” insert the following : ‘‘ ...and by sending technical and scientific assis- tance by means of missions, in agreement with the national institutions.”

An amendment by the BELGIAN delegation to add the name of ‘‘ Roskoff ” to the list of exis- ting international laboratories was adopted unani- mously.

Professor BHABHA proposed that one of the offices in the Far East should be in India.

This proposal was adopted. Item 3.

After a long discussion as to whether the diffe- rent examples (a) (b) (c) etc. should be included in the text or in an annex, it was decided to adopt an amendment proposed by the UNITED KINGDOM

as follows :

Adopted without discussion.

Item 4.

The BELGIAN delegate pointed out that the French text of this Item made no mention of the applied sciences, and that it would all, the same be desirable to encourage meetings of engineers as well as meetings of scientists pure and simple. The CHAIRMAN explained that Unesco’s work should rather lie in stimulating scientific research than in encouraging the application of existing tech- niques. Nevertheless, the suggestion by the Bel- gian delegate, who proposed to substitute the French word “ techniques ” for “ mecaniques ’’, was adopted.

O m i t t h e l e t t e r s “e . g . ” and say instead ‘‘ among the different forms of assistance con-

templated would be : ”

It was decided to mention in an annex that the list implied no priority.

Item 7.

Item 7 was adopted with the addition of the