IMMEDIATE

Your 2 and 3. [1]

Desire you keep us informed immediately of any developments. Last
thing Commonwealth Government desires is local revolution or
overthrow of French Administration by extremists in New Caledonia.

Such an event might as a consequence result in a request to
Australia to resume responsibility for law and order defence or
even to take over the colony as a protectorate. An appeal of this
nature would if acceded to or not be misinterpreted in some
quarters which would have far-reaching repercussions especially
regards French Indo-China. In any case we are pledged publicly to
maintain the status quo and to do nothing to alter present
position. Best solution seems to us to be to have an
administration owing nominal allegiance to Vichy only but
sympathetically inclined to the wishes of the local populace in
regard to continuing the war effort-in other words to co-operate
with the Allies as far as possible.

You should endeavour to get leaders of local movement to accept
this point of view not only for their own benefit but for ours. If
Vichy concurs in the suggestion of the Governor that he leave the
colony would be advisable to suggest the appointment of a deputy
acceptable to the Council and not leave the colony without a
constitutional head.

Would be glad to have your early views and suggestions for most
appropriate action by Commonwealth Government in the event of
situation further deteriorating.

Your No. 4. [2] You should concert closely with High Commissioner
Western Pacific.