I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 18th August
regarding the proposal that all Consuls de Carriere in Batavia
should report on the actual situation in Java, Sumatra and Madura.

[1]

It is noted that this suggestion has been made to the Security
Council. The Australian representative on the Security Council has
been instructed to accept such a suggestion as part of other
proposals which he is putting forward, but on condition that the
Consuls act as agents for the Security Council and report to it.

[2]

The proposal raises an administrative problem, that is, the person
who would act if such a proposal were accepted. As far as this
Government is concerned, it would be necessary to send additional
staff to the Consulate, as, at the moment, there is only one
officer on the staff and it would not be possible for him to leave
his post for any length of time as would be required.

You will see, therefore, that, as the matter is at the present
time being discussed by the Security Council, the Government is
not in a position to accept or reject the invitation conveyed by
you.