Your 268 and 275. [1]

Regional Organisation in the Pacific.

1. Departmental proposals on Organisation of South Seas Commission
suggested four components namely-Commission proper, Secretariat,
Special Research Bodies, Periodic South Seas Conference. The last
might consist of nominees of international organisations and of
member governments the latter representing administrations,
scientific and missionary bodies, and native peoples.

(a) Composition of Commission.

(i) representatives of powers with direct territorial interests in
the region viz: Australia, United States, New Zealand, France,
United Kingdom. (Possibly Netherlands in respect of Dutch New
Guinea and administering authority in respect of Japanese
Mandates.)
(ii) Commission might consist of an official representative from
each of member Powers together with recognised authorities on
colonial policy nominated by such bodies as Trusteeship Council
and I.L.O. and by participating Governments in rotation.

(b) Functions.

Commission would be advisory to member Governments and in
particular would perform the following functions:-

(i) receive reports from and address inquiries to member
Governments.

(ii) Arrange research into special problems of native welfare,
economic, social and political development and make
recommendations to governments thereon.

(iii) discuss projects for international economic development of
South Seas Territories.

(iv) Furnish copies of reports to appropriate international bodies
e.g., I.L.O.

(v) publish annual report on welfare and progress in South Seas.

(vi) direct work of secretariat.

(vii) consider recommendations of South Seas Conference.

(viii) facilitate exchange of information between administrations.

2. Departmental proposals regarding South East Asia Commission.

(a) Composition (c.f. Despatch mentioned below.')
(i) Dependent territories and Parent States within the South East
Asia area:-United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Netherlands, Malayan
Union & Colony of Singapore, British Borneo, Timor, Indo-China,
Netherlands Indies.

(ii) Governments within the region:-Burma, Philippines, Siam,
Indonesian Republic (?) Annamese Republic (?).

(iii) Governments with interests in the region:-Australia, India,
China, United States, New Zealand, Ceylon.

(b) Functions. Advice to member governments on following-
(i) co-ordination of rehabilitation measures.

(ii) co-operation in regard to welfare, communications and
economic development.

(iii) research into special problems.

(iv) exchange of information by administrations on matters of
common interest.

(v) relations with appropriate international bodies.

3. You will recall also United Kingdom despatch D. No. 172 of 27th
December, 1944, on general question of colonial policy with
special reference to development of regional machinery. [2]

4. We are forwarding by air mail copy of Departmental papers
(November 1944) on South Seas Commission and telegraphing details
on School of Civil Affairs (ref. paragraph 3 of your 275).