112 Chifley to Teppema

I desire to acknowledge your letter of the 1st April having reference to the matter of the shipping ban affecting Indonesian trade. [1]

Since speaking to you personally, I have discussed this matter with the Minister for Shipping and Fuel (Senator Ashley), the President of the A.C.T.U. (Mr. Clarey), and Mr. justice Kirby, Chairman of the Stevedoring Commission. I am endeavouring to see if some satisfactory understanding can be reached in regard to this matter.

With reference to the remarks which Mr. justice Kirby is alleged to have made to overseas shipping interests, I understand that he has said no more than that the matter should receive consideration in due course. This I take to mean that the matter of negotiations should be undertaken when the position in the Netherlands East Indies is clearer.

It would appear to me highly desirable that if possible some joint statement be made by your representatives and the interested Indonesian parties on the lines of the arrangements entered into between the three of us before police action was taken some time ago. [2] If you feel prepared to indicate that this proposal would be acceptable, I feel that it would be most helpful and we for our part would do everything possible to assist in arriving at a satisfactory arrangement. [3]