You have no doubt seen cablegram from the Secretary of State for
Dominion Affairs dated 30th August [1], suggesting that the
Commonwealth Government should send cruiser ADELAIDE to New
Hebrides embark the French Resident Commissioner [2] and proceed
to Noumea with view to bringing about return of DUMONT D'URVILLE
to Papeete and stabilizing position without any overt
intervention.

Commonwealth Government has acted on first part of suggestion and
ADELAIDE will arrive in Vila on, Saturday 3, there to await
further instructions.

In meantime desired you telegraph your views urgently and direct
to the Commonwealth Government on situation as you saw it in
Noumea and on the further suggestions of the United Kingdom
Government.

Since you left Noumea, Ballard [4] has reported that though
position is still unstable it is little different from Pelicier
[5] regime.

Colonel Denis, new Governor, informed Ballard on 1st September
that he desired to continue policy of economic collaboration with
Australia. Our messages to Ballard have been delivered and
acknowledged and information Acting Resident Commissioner, Vila
[6], that messages being detained not confirmed. [7]

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