South Seas Commission.

1. Whilst it is not necessary pending indication of United States
attitude to decide finally question whether Dutch should be
invited to attend Conference, I feel following points should be
brought to your attention.

2. As far as the geographical situation is concerned the
attachment of Dutch to Australian New Guinea makes it difficult to
draw the line merely at the Australian-Dutch border. On the other
hand there does seem to be some doubt whether Dutch New Guinea
falls logically within South Seas area from point of view, of, for
example, communications, political interest and economic
development. The view is that Dutch New Guinea is rather more
directly connected with Java and the islands of the 'Indonesian'
group.

3. The Prime Minister feels that the exclusion of the Dutch might
appear rather pointed and produce an unfortunate impression at
this stage following as it does upon recent Parliamentary and
press discussions of relations between Netherlands representative
and the Australian Government. [1]

4. Sir Frederic Eggleston is of the opinion that they should be
invited if the Conference goes beyond British Commonwealth. He
feels that the Dutch would have much to contribute on the
functional aspects generally of the Commission's work particularly
in agriculture.

5. The New Zealand Prime Minister is believed to feel strongly
that the Dutch should be invited. it is possible that the New
Zealand Minister in Washington will be instructed to raise the
matter with you.

6. Possibly an invitation along following lines could be issued to
the Dutch after clarification of United States and French
attitude.

(a) Australian and New Zealand Governments are anxious to have at
disposal of Commission the experience gained by the Dutch in the
development of Dutch New Guinea.

(b) We should be glad to have the Dutch as a full member.

(c) An alternative arrangement would be for them to establish
liaison with the Commission without being a full member and to
participate in such research and functional activities as directly
concerned them (as they have done to some extent in the Caribbean
Organisation).

(d) The choice was entirely one for the Netherlands Government.