Trusteeship Agreement.

1. Statement as drafted in our P.112 and 113 and your 128 was
tabled in House 7th August and copies given to all members of both
Houses. On 6th August Cabinet approved recommendation that terms
be used as basis for discussion with Governments of New Zealand,
United Kingdom, United States and France with view to submission
of draft agreed upon with those states to the General Assembly.

[1]

2. It would appear desirable now that concurrence of other
Governments be sought without delay, especially in view of our
commitments in September [2]. I would suggest that you take the
matter up with representatives of N.Z., U.K., U.S. and France now
in Paris.

3. N.Z. has now formally submitted draft agreement for Western
Samoa to us and to the Governments of United Kingdom, France and
United States, all of whom have been informed that it is proposed
to regard them as 'states directly concerned'. Text has been
revised following on recent officials' discussions in Canberra
(see immediately following cable). The New Zealand Government, on
the assumption that we 'wish to be regarded as a state directly
concerned in this instance' seek our assurance that we will
support their draft agreement in the General Assembly.

4. It seems essential that following main issues be cleared:

(a) States directly concerned as mentioned above. New Zealand
assume we wish to be explicitly recognised as such. View taken by
United States and ourselves that consultation without specific
designation is sufficient is preferable and we would hope New
Zealand United Kingdom and France could be brought to agree to
this now.

(b) New Zealand article designating New Zealand as administering
authority contains the phrase 'on behalf of the United Nations'.

This is chief difference of substance between Australian and New
Zealand drafts. It seems likely United Kingdom intend to take same
position as New Zealand. See our 1051 to you in Washington 13th
July.

5. The statement on Trusteeship and text of draft agreement have
been cabled to Washington and communicated to other posts by air
mail. Glad of early advice.