1. INTRODUCTION
With reference to your visit to the United Kingdom as the
representative of the Commonwealth Government for discussions on
matters relating to the Empire's war effort, the observations and
instructions in the following paragraphs are furnished for your
guidance.

2. NAVY
You will be aware of the strength and disposition of the Royal
Australian Navy and the conditions under which the two 6-inch
cruisers have been placed at the disposal of the United Kingdom
Government. A statement will be furnished to you of the emergency
measures taken to place the Navy on a war footing, and the steps
in hand and proposed to strengthen our naval defences. If there is
anything additional which we can undertake for the United Kingdom,
such as shipbuilding, etc., particulars should be ascertained in
order that possibilities may be examined.

3. ARMY
You are acquainted with Army Policy, as approved to date, and
training the Militia Forces and raising the 6th Division for
service at home or overseas. The Military Adviser [1] will have a
statement of the emergency measures taken to place the Army on a
war footing and the steps in hand and proposed to strengthen our
land defences.

4. AIR FORCE
You are familiar with the strength and disposition of the R.A.A.F.

and the decisions relating to the despatch of an Air Expeditionary
Force of six squadrons, the placing of the three Sunderland flying
boats and their crews at the disposal of the United Kingdom
Government, and the Commonwealth's participation in the Empire Air
Scheme.

The Air Adviser [2] will have a statement of the emergency
measures taken to. place the Air Force on a war footing and the
steps in hand and proposed to strengthen our Air Defences.

5. DELIVERIES FROM OVERSEAS
A statement will be taken by the Military and Air Advisers of
important orders for overseas supplies which are outstanding, and
a similar statement will be furnished to you in respect of the
Navy. It is desired that you take up with the Departments
concerned the possibility of expediting orders and definitely
ascertain the prospects of deliveries. It is particularly desired
to know the probable position in regard to essential artillery
instruments and aircraft. Similar action should be taken in
respect of orders relating to your own Department.

6. BEAUFORT AIRCRAFT SCHEME
It is desired that you consult the Air Ministry on the Beaufort
aircraft scheme and the prospects of completing it according to
schedule. Special attention will no doubt be given by you to the
question of engines, the type or types to be used and the
possibilities of delivery, together with the question of
modification of airframes should the Taurus type of engine not be
fitted to later batches of airframes.

7. SUPPLIES FROM AUSTRALIA
The Controller-General of Munitions Supply [3] will have details
of the present productive capacity of the Government Munitions
Factories and Annexes, the potential capacity that can be
developed, the proportion required for Australian requirements and
the balance available or that can be developed for production for
other parts of the Empire. It is desired that you should explore
the possibility of obtaining orders for any margin that may exist
in our local capacity, but before any are accepted the authority
of the Government should be obtained, full details being furnished
for consideration.

8. WAR BASIS OF AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE POLICY
We have had many reviews by the Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee of
the Committee of Imperial Defence on the basis of Australian
Defence Policy in relation to the general scheme of Empire
Defence. It is now desired to obtain a parallel document in the
light of the international outlook when you are in London and the
possible contingencies that may arise from it. This review should
be prepared with an appreciation of the international outlook, and
should deal with the probable scale of attacks to which Australia
might be subjected and the defence against them. In dealing with
the scale of defence, particular attention should be paid to the
material requirements, whether they are produced in Australia,
and, if not, the possibility of supply from overseas.

9. EMPIRE CO-OPERATION
Any proposals for further co-operation by Australia in Empire
Defence are reserved to Cabinet for decision, and should be
remitted (by cable if urgent) for consideration and advice.

10. DOCUMENTS
A complete set of the documents of the Delegation appropriately
classified and filed should be handed over to the War Cabinet
Secretariat for the official records, on your return. They should
include:-

(i) Copies of statements submitted to the Conference;

(ii) Copies of documents submitted by the United Kingdom and the
Dominion Delegations;

(iii) Any reports by the Conference.

It is desired that you submit a comprehensive report for the
consideration of the Government on your return and that progress
reports of the Conference be forwarded by cablegram.

11. STAFF
The Defence Department will make available to you the services of
the Navy [4], Arrays and Air Force [6] Liaison Officers attached
to the High Commissioner's Office.

R.G. MENZIES