Some account of Menzies statement [1] Australian activities in San
Francisco has reached the Press here. We have not received a full
statement but you can state that the proposals advanced by
Australia at the Conference are in strict accordance not only with
the Government Policy as contained in the Australia/New Zealand
Agreement and subsequent Wellington Conference, but also with the
proposals made during the London talks. The whole Delegation here
has been kept fully informed of the amendments proposed, and their
objectives from the very beginning. As a matter of fact, the
Delegation, although containing persons of different political
views, is co-operating effectively in the difficult Committee
work.

The following points occur to us:-

(1) It is contrary to all decent practice to attempt to trip-up
Australian Representatives abroad while they are engaged in most
difficult and important International negotiations and conference.

Menzies appears to have broken this accepted tradition.

(2) No complaint or criticism whatever as to the amendments has
come from any Member of the Delegation.

(3) Australia's amendments are all designed to improve the
proposed charter and to ensure Australia's future security
without, in any way, imperilling the general principles of
collective security.

(4) With regard to trusteeship, there is certainly a difference in
application of principles as between United Kingdom and Australia
but the principle of trusteeship itself is accepted by both. In
some respects there are greater differences between the United
Kingdom and United States of America and Australia.

(5) The broad fact is that Australia has a foreign policy of its
own which is in most points parallel to that of the United
Kingdom. But in some points, especially in relation to the.

Pacific, Australia has consistently indicated its own policy since
1941 and it must continue to do so consistently and fearlessly.

The trouble with Menzies is that he seems incapable of
understanding the great advance which has taken place during the
crisis of 1942. His criticisms contrast sharply with the comments
of almost all leading American newspapers which emphasize
Australia's constructive contributions.

(6) There is no special speech by Dr. Evatt but at his Press
Conference on Trusteeship over which Mr. Forde presided and which
was very successful, his answers were in strict conformity with
the opening speech delivered by Mr. Forde. That in turn is based
on the policy approved by Cabinet and contained in the
Australian/New Zealand Agreement and the Wellington resolutions.

(7) You may give the above any publicity you decide.