SOUTH SEAS COMMISSION

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now given written
intimation of its willingness to accept the invitation to the
proposed Canberra Conference.

This states that the French Government favours the creation of a
commission in principle subject to the understanding that its
functions will be limited to practical and technical objects such
as health, communications and education and that it would not have
any political function.

The French Government records that it has embraced the principles
laid down by Articles 73 and 74 of the United Nations Charter [1]
and consequently regard[s] as inopportune inclusion in the
commission's programme of a political object already the subject
of that undertaking. With this reservation the French Government
would be glad to send a representative to the proposed Canberra
Conference.

Translation of the note containing the above follows by air mail.

HODGSON