Sir Frederick Stewart, Minister for External Affairs

Agendum 615 25 March 1941

AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE IN PORTUGUESE TIMOR

On the recommendation put forward in Agendum No. 561 of 25th
January last [1], Cabinet gave its approval for an approach to the
Portuguese Government with a view to obtaining Portuguese assent
to the appointment at Dilli, Portuguese Timor, of an official
representative of the Commonwealth Government.

2. The approach was made accordingly through the United Kingdom
Government and the British Ambassador at Lisbon. [2] The reply,
received on 19th March, is to the effect that while willing to
receive an Australian representative, the Portuguese Government
would prefer that the official appointed should pass for a
technical expert connected with the air service, in order not to
arouse the suspicions of the Japanese.

3. At the same time the reply intimated that the Japanese were now
proposing to open a Consulate at Dilli themselves. It is thought
likely that the Portuguese Government will have to agree to this.

The reply suggested that this new development might affect the
decision of the Commonwealth Government, i.e., if the Japanese
opened a Consulate at Dilli the Commonwealth Government might also
wish to do so.

4. There are, however, practical objections at the present time to
the initiation of an Australian Consular Service. In the case of
Portuguese Timor it has from the beginning been the opinion of the
Departments concerned that any British consular appointment should
be made from the United Kingdom Service. If the Japanese opened a
consulate at Dilli therefore it would be preferable for the right
of reciprocity to be exercised by the United Kingdom so far as
consular representation is concerned. This would have the
advantage from an Australian point of view that it would enable
the presence at Dilli of both a British Consul and an Australian
representative.

5. It is therefore recommended that Cabinet approve of the
appointment forthwith of an Australian representative at Dilli
with nominal technical functions in connection with the Darwin-
Dilli air service. This official would be without the proposed
status of Official Representative but would still in fact be in a
position to carry out useful intelligence and political duties,
irrespective of any subsequent decision there may be for British
consular representation. A suitable officer for both the technical
and other duties of the post is available in Mr. David Ross, Chief
Inspector, Flying Branch, Department of Civil Aviation. The
following communication to the Secretary of State for the
Dominions is accordingly submitted for approval:-

'Your telegrams 117 [3] and 171. [4]

Grateful if you would arrange for Ambassador Lisbon to inform
Portuguese Government that the Commonwealth Government proposes to
appoint to Dilli an official of the Department of Civil Aviation
to carry out technical dudes connected with present Qantas Empire
Airways Service Darwin-Batavia via Dilli, and later direct Darwin-
Dilli service. Official proposed is Mr. David Ross, Chief
Inspector, Flying Branch, Department Civil Aviation. Commonwealth
Government would appreciate if Governor Timor could be instructed
accordingly.

Commonwealth Government agrees that the Ambassador should also be
instructed to express the view that if at some later stage
Portuguese Government consents to the establishment of a Japanese
Consulate at Dilli, the Portuguese Government should also accord
the right of British Consular representation at Dilli if it is
desired to exercise it. At the same time the Commonwealth
Government hopes the Portuguese Government will not find it
necessary to agree to the establishment of a Japanese Consulate.

FADDEN.' [5]