Acting under instructions from my Government, I have the honor to
extend an invitation to the Commonwealth Government to designate a
plenipotentiary or observer delegation to attend an International
Whaling Conference at Washington on November 20, 1946. The
objective of the Conference is to conserve and develop existing
whaling resources by establishing whaling regulations applicable
to the 1947-48 and subsequent seasons and creating a Commission to
facilitate modifications of such regulations from time to time as
conditions may require. A copy of the Draft Agenda and Rules of
Procedure of the Conference have been forwarded to me by air mail
and will be transmitted to you as soon as received.

In accordance with the established practice at previous whaling
conferences, my Government assumes that English will be the
official and working language of the Conference.

My Government suggests that if the Commonwealth Government is
prepared to sign the anticipated convention at Washington it
should endow its delegation with full powers.

It would be appreciated if you would be so kind as to advise me as
soon as possible of the names and titles of the Australian
delegation, together with the dates and places where they will
arrive in the United States. Should hotel accommodations for the
Australian delegation be required, would you please advise me of
this fact and I shall communicate it to the Department of State.

[1]

ROBERT BUTLER