Following on our conversations with regard to the general question
of the functions, activities, and channel of communication of the
High Commissioner's Office at Ottawa, the Prime Minister [1] has
decided that recognised international practice be followed in the
case of Australian Missions abroad in that the Missions will come
under the financial and administrative control and direction of
the Minister for External Affairs.

2. I would ask, therefore, if you would be good enough to ensure
that all official communications affecting the External Affairs,
or other Commonwealth or State Departments, be addressed to the
External Affairs Department.

In cases where the subject matter is entirely the concern of
another Department, it would be appropriate for the communication
to be addressed to the External Affairs Department, followed
underneath by the words in parenthesis 'For the so and so
Department'.

3. As for your own despatches, I would suggest you write to me as
Minister one general despatch weekly, reviewing any political,
social, economic and military developments to which you feel the
attention of the Commonwealth Government should be drawn.

Important and urgent questions would of course be the subject of
individual despatch or cablegram, as distinct from the general
weekly despatch.

You will appreciate that this will not affect any personal
communications to the Prime Minister, to other Ministers or to
myself, but refers only to official matters.

4. So far as routine matters, general administrative and financial
questions are concerned, the normal channel of communication would
be from Department to High Commissioner's Office, signed by the
Official Secretary.

5. In regard to Accounting, I have caused arrangements to be made
with the Treasury and Accountant of the Department for the
accounting to go through the channel of the Australian Government
Trade Commissioners, New York.

This method is followed in the case of the Australian Legation,
Washington. It will relieve your office of a large amount of
detailed work, but if it should not prove satisfactory in
practice, I would be glad to have your views in due course. [2]

[H. S. GULLETT]