Following from the Prime Minister for Acting Prime Minister of
Australia.

Your telegram of 22nd March, No. 68. [2]

Mr. Curtin's message to me has been most carefully considered
here. We recognise the extent to which information is already
available and the channels which are open for obtaining additional
data. But my military advisers feel that there are questions and
problems which could not be satisfactorily settled without
personal contact on the spot. They consider it essential that
officers who are acquainted with the full picture of our possible
requirements should discuss with your officers the extent to which
these could be met from resources already available in Australia.

The requirements which could not be met thus could then be
explored in direct discussion.

2. I propose to discuss this matter with Mr. Curtin on his arrival
here and to suggest to him that, in the light of the above
considerations, direct discussion on the spot between the
Australian staffs and our representatives is essential. We have it
in mind to send to Australia small Naval and Army parties, the
latter including Air Force representatives, for this purpose.

These officers would work in close collaboration with the staffs
of the respective Australian services and with our Mission under
General Dewing [3] for the period of their visit.

3. Meanwhile, as you are probably aware, a small party of five
Naval officers has been having preliminary discussions with the
United States authorities in Washington and the Pacific. They have
now completed their discussions with the United States authorities
in the Pacific. To avoid further delay they are being instructed
to proceed to Australia and make preliminary contact with the
Australian staffs concerned on the assumption that you will, in
the circumstances, see no objection. Considering our idea is to
come and help you, we hope no obstacles will be placed in the way.