Dutch Minister [1] on authority of his Minister for Foreign
Affairs [2] has approached me with a formal proposal for an
exchange of diplomatic representatives between Holland and
Australia. In putting forward the proposal Minister stressed the
common interests and dangers of Australia and the Netherlands East
Indies and close trade and personal contacts between two
countries.

In view of these facts Dutch Government felt that it was desirable
that there should be closest co-operation between Australia and
Holland and that this would best be achieved by exchange of
diplomatic representatives.

After suitably expressing our appreciation of suggestion, I
outlined our attitude towards separate diplomatic representation
and its development over last few years. I stressed the difficulty
of providing Minister and staffs, which he countered by urging
that as the Dutch Government was now in London I could act in a
dual capacity. In undertaking to convey his proposal to my
Government I warned him that there would probably be some delay in
replying owing to political situation in Australia but I was
certain the suggestion would be received with appreciation and
interest particularly in view of Dutch interests in Pacific to
which area our diplomatic representation had so far been confined.

BRUCE