AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATION IN THE PACIFIC
Recent events in the areas immediately to the Northwest of
Australia and particularly in the Netherlands East Indies and
French Indo-China have emphasised the necessity for having
adequate means of receiving information. Developments in these
areas have a direct bearing on the problem of our own security. If
a satisfactory settlement of the problems of these countries is
not forthcoming then we shall be confronted with a period
characterized by instability and unrest amongst native peoples.

Such a consequence must be viewed by us with some concern in view
of our recent experiences in the Pacific War. In the future we
shall also have very important economic interests in this area in
which there are very large populations with increasing living
standards.

In view of the urgency of the situation it has been necessary with
the co-operation of the Services to make certain interim
arrangements so that we can obtain information on the critical
events occurring now in the regions to our north and north-west.

These arrangements include the attachment of a Political
Representative to SEAC in the Netherlands East Indies and Siam,
and of Naval Intelligence Officers to the British Pacific Fleet
operating in Japanese waters and at ports in French Indo-China. A
political observer has also been attached to the Australian
Service Mission in Tokyo.

It is desirable that Australia, as the Dominion most directly
concerned with developments in the Pacific area, should take the
initiative in sponsoring a policy which will ensure stability by
urging progressive policies on the part of governments responsible
for dependent peoples. It should be our aim to keep the United
Kingdom and the United States Governments fully informed of
developments in the Pacific region and to give our interpretation
of events in this area. It seems essential therefore that we
should have competent representation in all these countries of
such vital concern to us. These representatives will be required
to observe and report upon significant political, economic and
social developments.

The interim arrangements outlined above will make unnecessary
appointments of Australian representatives at the present time at
some posts. Immediate appointments to Portuguese Timor, New
Caledonia, Singapore and Manila are required, and from an
administrative point of view it is most important to enable the
Department of External Affairs to look ahead and anticipate
staffing needs.

Accordingly, it is recommended that approval be given to the
appointment now of Australian Consular Representatives to the
posts mentioned above and as the need arises to the following-
Netherlands East Indies Fiji
French Indo China New Hebrides
Siam Shanghai [1]

NORMAN J. MAKIN