Your telegram 7614 [1], and my telegram 118. [2]

The Palace Authorities have now replied that as they see the
position: (1) Only a Minister of the Crown can counter-sign the
instrument (I gather that the Canadian High Commissioner [3]
proposed to counter-sign a similar instrument in the case of
Canada's declaration of war against Germany but this was refused).

(2) Transmission of the draft instrument by picturegram would be
inappropriate as counter-signature cannot properly be affixed
until after the King has signed. (I pointed out that in the past
there had been at least one case of prior counter-signature but
they say that they do not wish this to happen again.)
They have suggested the following modification in the procedure:-

(a) As time is short the King should treat your telegram of
instructions to me as a formal advice from the Commonwealth
Government advising him to issue the instrument;

(b) that I should prepare and submit forthwith draft instrument
for the King's signature;

(c) immediately after signature a telegram would be sent to the
Commonwealth Government so that the proclamation could be issued
at once;

(d) the instrument would be forwarded to the Commonwealth
Government by air mail for counter-signature in due course by the
Prime Minister;

They hoped that this alternative would meet your desire-with which
they cordially agree-to express clearly the unbroken chain of
prerogative authority and at the same time make it clear that the
King was acting exclusively on the advice of his Ministers in the
Commonwealth. I said that although the matter was one of urgency I
would have to refer their suggestion back to you.

While I urged as strongly as possible the adoption of the
procedure in your telegram, nevertheless in view of the fact that
our main desiderata are secured would suggest that we should waive
the point of counter-signature by me or alternatively transmit the
picturegrammed instrument previously counter-signed by you and
that you instruct me to submit the instrument to the King as soon
as possible down the lines suggested above.

BRUCE