International Tin Study Group

The United Nations Tin Conference had not yet been reconvened during the period under review. The conference, which was held in Geneva from October 25 to November 21, 1950 was adjourned when the prolonged deliberations revealed that further governmental study was necessary if there was to be any agreement on the numerous proposals for international control of tin stocks and prices. The “Paris Draft†, previously drawn up by the International Tin Study Group, had not been able to satisfy the demands of the widely divergent producing and consuming interests. In a unanimous resolution which conceded the probability that “difficulties will arise concerning tin†which would require inter-governmental action, the conference was able to agree only that “when a surplus or shortage of tin is expected to occur, inter-governmental cooperation and action, in accordance with the principles of the Havana Charter, would be desirable to meet such difficulties†. The conference chairman was instructed to keep the work of the International Tin Study Group under review and to consult with the conference steering committee and the United Nations Secretary-General about holding a second conference at a later date.