I.L.O. Conference.

1. The reaction to your work has been quite satisfactory. There
has been a sneer from Menzies [2], a yelp from Spender [3] and a
growl from Harrison [4], but on the whole you have helped to make
it very clear that we mean business on full employment.

2. The suggested United States formula is in my opinion quite
futile. [5] We might as well ask the I.L.O. to recommend
governments to observe the Ten Commandments. The recommendations
are so abstract in general that the point of full employment is
utterly lost. I am coming to the conclusion that those controlling
governments are fearful of the implications of full employment. It
makes it more necessary than ever that your fight should be
continued.

3. I have struggled hard for recognition of the full employment
doctrine, and often under adverse circumstances. I am sure you
will make this clear at the conference and press interviews. It
has not been made clear either from your speeches or interviews as
reported here. This is important because in relation to New
Zealand, the United Kingdom and South Africa I have given an
interpretation of Article 7 which has been endorsed by Full
Cabinet [6] and which makes full employment and consumption the
primary and supreme objective.

4. Frankly, if the I.L.O. cannot improve the United States draft
the sooner other machinery is found to further our objectives, the
better.

5. I am sending you a further telegram [7] which should be of
assistance.