Your secret telegram No. 9 of 24th January. [1] Timor Oil.

Question has been considered by Commonwealth Government and
Minister External Affairs [2] is now investigating whole position.

Latest development is that entirely new group, comprising English
and Australian capital, is now interesting itself in Timor
concessions, and is negotiating with Staughton group view to
liquidation all latter's interests. It then proposes making
entirely new application to Lisbon and to Governor at Dilli [3] on
lines suggested by Ambassador Lisbon. [4]

In meantime it is desired that Portuguese Government be informed
through Ambassador of this proposal to show that Commonwealth
Government is still interested in the question and to ensure that
concessions covering whole area are not granted to Wittouck [5] or
any other group.