Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson and the National Farmers' Union

UNE SIS 000358 95 DEPARTMENT STATE MEMORANDUM OF COMVERSATION March 28, 1949 Foreign Relations of Interest to the Union Secretary Achesca lix. Patton, President, National Union Cole, IR N ARCHIVES "HATIONAL SERVICE* RECORDS AND CP E ITP SEA OFD UNE Mr. Patton stated that he had asiced for the appointment in order to discusa with the Secretary number of foreign poliey rettere which are of interest to his organization. These included the followings 1. ITQ lix. Patton meid that he is strongly in flevor of ITO and will support its approval by Congress beceuse he feels that, although not perfect, it laya down desimble principles of conchuat in the internationel trade field. organization, be fevors handling agriquitural problems generally through FAO, rather than through other intergovermental organizations in which the influence of buniness groupe will presumbly be strong. He added thet his organization had been in favor of the Forld Food Board, which be know hnd not boen supported by the Department, and that it was now prepared to accept e ayaten of compodity agreements am a substitute for the Torld Fond Board if there la to be a band compodity agreements program covering a sub- stential mamber of commodities. 2. Point 4 Ur. Potton stated that his organization favora the implementation of the Foint 4 Program to the fullest extent possible through international orgonisations, mather then by bilateral agreementa betzreen the United Btates and individual foreigm countries. He snid that he hnd diacussed this matter both with Secretary Brannan and the Prosident and hnd learned thnt they ahared his views. He agreed with lfr. Cale's observations that nome of the personnel in the Department of Agrieulture, especially those individuals who have been involved in programs of bilateral cooperation in the agricultural field, question the desirability of putting mjor emphosis on implementing the phases of Point 4 through international orgenizations. 3. India