Personal for Stirling. Minister [1] desires me to inform you that
cabinet [2] has been very embarrassed over failure to receive any
reply to my most urgent message this morning. Press and wireless
had early report of German announcement [3] which was being
featured throughout world, and Government though subjected to
pressure, was unable all day to make any statement as to actual
facts of position.

Apparently there was some gap in the circuit of communication to
you. Minister desires that some staff arrangements be made
immediately to ensure that if most immediate messages are sent to
you in morning Australian time that some reply will be received in
reasonable time.

HODGSON