Submission CANBBRRA, 17 January 1946
Attached are notes regarding proposals for exchange of
representation with-
Portugal,
Switzerland,
Eire,
Denmark,
Czechoslovakia,
Italy. [1]
If we accept representation, it would be very difficult to
reciprocate. Further, if we accept the above we can expect other
European countries, e.g., Belgium, Sweden and Norway, to make
similar requests. South American countries may follow suit.
We might be able to do something in the way of grouping countries,
e.g., handle Switzerland from France, Denmark and other
Scandinavian countries from Holland, etc.
We cannot staff new legations at present and it would suit us best
if countries concerned did not press their approach for at least a
year. on the other hand, if they are prepared to accept a one-
sided arrangement it will be hard to refuse. [2]
An exception could, I think, be made in the case of Eire. They are
nominally still within the British Empire and it would be in
accordance with our policy to exchange representation at an early
date.
W.E.DUNK
I would like to discuss this with you at some early date. [3]
1 Portugal had been informed in June 1945 that Australia was too
heavily committed to consider a Portuguese proposal for
appointment of a Charge d'Affaires in Canberra (see Volume VIII,
Document 105). Decisions on a Swiss proposal, first made to the
U.K. Dominions Office in September 945 for reciprocal
representation, then repeated informally to the U.K. Foreign
Office for appointment of a Swiss Minister without exchange, and
on de Valera's proposal to appoint Dr T. J. Kiernan to Canberra
(see Volume VIII, Document 407) awaited Evatt's return from
overseas. No action had been taken on an informal Danish
suggestion for appointment of C. M. Rottboll to both Canberra and
Wellington and for accreditation of the Australian Minister at The
Hague to Denmark, or on information that Czechoslovakia was
considering raising its Consulates-General in Australia and New
Zealand to Legations. Nor had action been taken on Italian
representations for Australian acceptance of an Italian Consul-
General, beyond instructions to Bruce, in April 1945, that on
advice of the Director General of Security, Australia was 'in no
hurry' to accept an Italian representative.
2 Requests were repeated throughout 1946, from Switzerland in June
and October, from Czechoslovakia in April and from Italy in
February, March, October and November. Approaches were also made
by Greece and Thailand.
3 Words in italics were handwritten.
