In view of great range and complexity of problems confronting us
all at this time we have been reviewing recently in the War
Cabinet the existing system of collaboration between the
Governments of the British Commonwealth and considering how far it
meets the needs of the present situation and whether improvement
could be suggested.

2. We are, as you know, making the fullest possible use of
channels already available:-

(a) by direct communication between the Governments
(b) by interchange of information through the High Commissioners
both in London and in Dominion capitals
(c) through the agency of political and Service officers serving
under your High Commissioner who are engaged in dealing with
particular subjects.

3. The question is therefore one of supplementing existing
agencies of collaboration in view of the immensity of the joint
effort which we are called upon to make if a successful issue is
to be assured.

4. At this stage when you yourself must be faced with innumerable
pressing problems which cannot be delegated, and when we do not
know the full extent of the risk of dislocation of business here
through enemy attack, I should not feel justified in suggesting a
personal meeting between Prime Ministers in London. But in my
judgment considerable advantages would be gained by early personal
contact on Ministerial plane if this could possibly be arranged.

5. Indeed it appears to me that unless some arrangements for such
contact can be made at an early date we shall not easily reach a
clear picture or a full understanding of the nature and extent of
our common task and of the special difficulties confronting each
of us or be able to co-ordinate to the best ability the
contribution which each can make.

6. On the assumption that you would be in general agreement with
these views I should like to inquire whether it would be possible
for you to designate one of your Cabinet colleagues to make a
brief visit to London at an early date in order to discuss the
position in all its bearings with us and if possible with the
Ministers from other Dominions also. [1] I feel confident that we
here should benefit greatly from fuller knowledge which we should
thus gain of your problems and plans. I should hope too that you
would be helped by first hand impressions which a Ministerial
representative would form while he was here and by full report
which he would be able to bring back with him.

7. A complementary extension of the liaison arrangements on
Service matters would I think be a natural corollary. In naval
matters we are inclined to think the present arrangements are
sufficient but on the evidence available it looks to us as though,
having regard to the rapidity of the expansion, further liaison
with regard to both military and air matters might be helpful, and
we should like to suggest as regards these matters that it might
be advisable for visiting Minister to be accompanied by military
and air officers of status generally corresponding to that of
advisers to Chiefs of Staff here. These officers might perhaps
remain in London for day to day discussions with their Service
colleagues here after Minister had left.

8. Similarly in relation to the question of equipment, munitions
and supply, including food and raw materials, in any case where it
is found that arrangements do not at present exist on a sufficient
scale, the appointment of special Dominion liaison officers to
supplement the existing contacts with civil Departments concerned
in this country might also deserve consideration. In the meantime
we are endeavouring to arrange that these Departments should
maintain the best possible touch with your High Commissioner and
his staff.

9. I should be grateful if you would consider the above
suggestions, and let me know as soon as you can whether these
commend themselves to you as an immediate step to further closer
collaboration which would be so valuable to us all.

10. Similar telegram sent to other Prime Ministers.