CO-OPERATION IN BRITISH COMMONWEALTH DEFENCE

I would refer to our discussion on 1st September [1] relating to
Machinery for Co-operation in British Commonwealth Defence.

2. I am writing to confirm the views expressed on that occasion,
which I think fully safeguard the position of the New Zealand
Government in participating in the Australian machinery 'on the
basis of equality' and with 'an effective voice and vote' as
mentioned in your letter of 14th July.

3. In paragraphs 4 and 5 of my letter of 13th August, it was
pointed out that cooperation 'on the basis of equality' was
specifically provided for in the conclusions of the Prime
Ministers' Conference and in the Australian Memorandum.

4. In paragraph 9 of my letter, it was made clear that the
Australian Government's proposal for liaison between the countries
on the Government and official levels by mutual representation on
each other's machinery retained to each Government sovereign
control of its own policy and administrative machinery on a basis
of equality.

5. To make the situation absolutely clear, it is suggested, as
mentioned in our discussion, that if you embodied something on the
following lines in your reply, it should fully safeguard the
principles about which you are concerned:-

'New Zealand participation in the Australian Machinery is subject
to the principle expressed in the Australian Memorandum that the
sovereign control of its Policy is retained by the New Zealand
Government, that the assent of its Representative is required at
whatever level a matter is considered and that, without the
expressed assent of its Representative, the view of the other
Representatives cannot bind the New Zealand Government on any
matter affecting a commitment on its part, or the control or use
of its forces and resources.'

6. As the United Kingdom Government has accepted the Australian
proposals relating to machinery for co-operation, it was also
pointed out in our talk that the New Zealand idea for a purely
joint Australian - New Zealand body would not give New Zealand a
round table contact with Australia and the United Kingdom as would
be the case with the use of the Australian machinery. Furthermore,
the latter will give the New Zealand Representative access to a
much wider range of contacts and information than a purely
Australian - New Zealand body where only matters relating to New
Zealand commitments or the use of its resources are considered.

7. Reciprocally, the same provisions and principles will apply to
the Australian Representative on the New Zealand Defence
Machinery.