Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

515 Mr John Curtin, Prime Minister, to Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in the

Cablegram 4867 [1] CANBERRA, 3 June 1942

United Kingdom

PRIORITY IMMEDIATE SECRET PERSONAL FOR HIMSELF

Reference your. S. 28. [2]

I have agreed, in accordance with Dominions Office cable No. 442 [3], to relieve you of your routine functions as High Commissioner while you are Accredited Representative of the Commonwealth Government on the War Cabinet and Pacific War Council.

2. I shall make a statement to Parliament to this effect during the week [4] and emphasise as requested by the Prime Minister your special position as a former Australian Prime Minister and add that you are a Member of His Majesty's Privy Council.

3. Approval is given for the appointment of Duncan [5] as Deputy High Commissioner.

CURTIN

1 Repeated to the Minister for External Affairs (then in Washington) as no. PM 79. Curtin also dispatched a cablegram in similar terms to the U.K. Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, as no. 320 On the same day (on file AA: MP1217, Box 461, Australian representation in the United Kingdom).

2 Document 514.

3 See Document 514, note 1.

4 Parliament in fact adjourned for the winter recess on 4 June and Curtin did not make a statement.

5 Official Secretary of the High Commission in London.

[AA:M100, JUNE 1942]

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