Addressed to the Prime Minister. Civil Affairs.

My telegram 131 of 27th October. [1]

The United Kingdom authorities last night produced a long Aide-
Memoire which they describe as 'result of prolonged inter-
departmental consideration of proposals of Commonwealth
Government'. (The full text has been sent to you by air mail bag
to-day, External Affairs Despatch S.200. [2])
I went this morning to a meeting for a preliminary discussion of
the Aide-Memoire but I took the line that they must wait for your
considered reply. Meanwhile I rubbed it in that our great concern
was the maintenance of British prestige in the Pacific and that we
felt there was a grave danger of this slipping back. It was
absolutely essential that machinery should be set up in order to
avoid developments which might prejudice final settlement in the
Pacific area.

BRUCE