In an effort to complete work on the ITO draft charter and to effect tariff reductions, the Preparatory Committee of the International Trade Conference at Geneva has been working since April 10, 1947, to iron out difficulties in the most extensive multilateral trade negotiations so far attempted. After extensive preparation of the charter, a process which began in London during the autumn of 1946 and continued at Lake-Success in January and February, 1947, discussions reached the final stage in the Geneva meeting. However, it was expected that revision of the charter would not be completed until the close of tariff negotiations, because necessary changes in the text of the charter depended, in large measure, on the outcome of the tariff talks.