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Historical documents

322 Evatt to Beasley

Cablegram 205 CANBERRA, 5 June 1947, 4.50 p.m.

MOST IMMEDIATE SECRET

Your 180. [1] The date set that is the week beginning 26th is
nothing less than a breach of faith. Your own telegram clearly
indicates the second week in August (see your 198, paragraph
3(b)). When accepting the proposal, we did not contemplate such a
late date in August, but were working on the proposal (b) set out
by McNeil. South Africa['s] attendance is a matter of
indifference. We have received a telegram from South Africa
stating that they are not interested in the Pacific Settlement.

[matter omitted]

1 Dispatched 3 June. Beasley had suggested 4 August as the
commencing date for the conference in Canberra, but Addison had
been 'Most emphatic' that he could not attend before 26 August,
owing to business in the House of Commons and the need to prepare
thoroughly. Beasley also reported that the UK Government intended
to approach Canada and South Africa to ensure they were adequately
represented, and that Addison personally felt it important that
South Africa attend.


[AA: A1068, P47/10/61/30,i]
Last Updated: 11 September 2013
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