I have received your telegram of the 21st October with regard to a
meeting of Prime Ministers in December. [1] I am aware of all the
advantages which will flow from our meeting and my personal wishes
would be to concur in your proposal. However in the main the
requirements of our position set out in my telegram of the 14th
September [2] still make it essential I remain here for a few
months. Ministers have just concluded a series of Cabinet
meetings, the first it was possible to hold after the elections.

Our discussions showed how important it is for ministers to meet
after a few weeks consultation with their Administration etc.

advisers to plan for legislation in the New Year on great variety
of subjects including recruitment for the Services, manpower for
primary industries, processing and conservation of foodstuffs for
British and Australian fighting forces etc.

This food problem has become very acute here. Difficulties are
cropping up unexpectedly and if we are to play our part in
providing food in increasing quantities for Great Britain and our
Allies it will require constant watching over the next few months.

With our great distances here you will appreciate how closely
allied to food production is coal supply. The latter matter has
been a constant source of worry over last year and situation now
more delicate than ever before. I am fearful of serious breakdown
in our industries and primary production systems unless I give it
my personal attention until better position has been reached.

Moreover Cabinet decided most necessary plan legislation during
next few months to hold session early in the New Year devoted
solely to securing increased constitutional powers for the
Commonwealth. This is necessary before Australia can fully play
its part in Empire effort and in reconstruction period.

On the political side, a pre-New Year meeting would be inadvisable
so far as Australia concerned. The A.L.P. has called a general
Conference for 7th December next. I feel that I will be rendering
greatest possible service to common cause if I am here during.

Conference period when whole Commonwealth legislative field and
Australian attitude towards our present war problems and attitude
within the Empire to post-war problems will be dealt with. My
efforts will be directed to pointing the way to the great tasks
which we have to face and bring all to a realisation of the duties
and obligations which we owe to the Empire and Allies. I put it to
you quite frankly that my work around and during this Conference
will be I hope the greatest contribution I am able to make to the
strength and in [sic] efforts of the British Commonwealth.

For the above reasons I must still press for the retardation of
the meeting until (say) April of next year. I greatly regret
having to do this but I feel that I am serving our common
interests best by coming to this conclusion.

CURTIN