34 Evatt to Bruce Cablegram SL55

Please take up with Palace authorities immediately question of exchange of Ministers with Russia. [1] It is desired King's informal approval be obtained for Honourable William Slater M.L.A., Speaker of Legislative Assembly, Victoria, [to be] nominated as first Australian Minister. In this connection see particulars for information of King in following telegram. [2]

2. On receipt of above approval, please arrange for immediate despatch of following message to Molotov [3] through British Ambassador and request necessity of most urgent despatch and reply.

Begins.

For Molotov from Evatt.

The Australian Government has nominated as Minister to Soviet a

very distinguished Australian, the Honourable William Slater M.L.A. He is Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria and he has been a member of the Assembly for many years. He is one of the leaders of the Australian Labour Movement and has been long associated with Trade Unionism. He has been actively associated with voluntary bodies formed for the purpose of providing aid to Russia and with a number of Russo-Australian cultural bodies.

The Government would be obliged if you could indicate your agreement with nomination and simultaneously nominate your Minister forthwith. The moment you do Mr. Slater will leave to take up his appointment as we agree with you that delay in these matters is unsatisfactory. Ends.

3. I may tell you matter is regarded as of pressing urgency.

Please advise moment reply is received from Russia. [4]

4. As regards remainder of formal procedure, course followed in case your appointment to Netherlands will be adopted.