Would you refer to the Commonwealth Government's despatch No. 125
of the 1st May [1] on the subject of Mr. Keith Officer's services
as Australian Counsellor at His Majesty's Embassy at Washington?
This despatch has crossed one which I have just received from my
Government stating that His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, in
reporting on the presentation to the President of the United
States [2] by the Rt. Hon. R. G. Casey of his letter of credence
as Australian Minister to the United States, took the opportunity
to express his warm appreciation of the services of Mr. Keith
Officer in the above capacity. Lord Lothian wrote:

'The establishment of the Australian Legation has entailed
termination of Mr. Officer's appointment as Australian Counsellor
at His Majesty's Embassy. I am very glad to have this opportunity
of putting on record my warm appreciation of Mr. Officer's
services during the time that he has been attached to the Embassy.

In addition to performing his special duties connected with
Australia, Mr. Officer has always given ungrudging and invaluable
assistance in the general work of the Embassy, and the many
contacts which he formed in Washington and elsewhere have been
most useful. Since the outbreak of war, Mr. Officer has rendered
assistance in our war activities which has been particularly
valuable in a number of directions and his advice and knowledge of
local conditions have been of the greatest service to me. I am
sure that my predecessor [3] would endorse my views, and I am glad
to think that though Mr. Officer has now left the Embassy he is
still stationed in Washington and that I can therefore still
benefit from his advice.'
At the request of my Government, I have much pleasure in bringing
to your notice this appreciation of Mr. Officer's services.

GEOFFREY WHISKARD