U.N.R.R.A. under Criticism •
Both in the House of Commons last week and subsequently at the opening session of the U.N.R.R.A. Conference in New South' Wales grave apprehensions were expressed about the failure of U.N.R.R.A. to get to grips with the urgent tasks of relief. No doubt some of the complaints have been due to misunderstanding of the functions which have been allotted to this international organi- sation. It was not intended to provide services and relief in the zones of military operations, nor can it operate in liberated countries which are capable of paying for supplies, like France, Belgium and Holland, unless it is invited by the national Governments con- cerned. It is operating to some extent in Greece, and it is of great importance that it should quickly extend the field of its activities in countries such as Yugoslavia and Poland. But when every excuse has been made for it in view of the unwillingness of some Govern- ments to use its agents and the shortage of shipping imposed by military operations, the fact remains that it is far from acting with that dynamic energy which was expected from it in the days when it was launched with so much enthusiasm. Dr. Evatt, speaking for the Australian delegation at Lapstone, complained of the over- centralisation of the U.N.RR.A. administration, and delays in begin- ning work in liberated areas, and insisted that there should be wider national representation at all levels on the staff. Had more of their
own nationals been on the staff it is probable that western European countries would have been much more disposed to make use of its services ; and, in any case, what is everywhere desired is that it should actively assist in the repatriation of displaced persons.
