Trusteeship 80.

Trusteeship Council met morning and afternoon Monday 15th
December. Almost the whole of both meetings was occupied by
consideration of report on New Guinea.

2. President introduced the agenda item by referring to statement
by Minister for External Territories which forms preface to report
emphasising special situation arising from war and rehabilitation
and shortness of time for preparation of report. He suggested
Council might wish to make general review at this part of the
session and defer questions requiring further information until
next part of this session.

3. Australian representative made opening statement drawing
attention to several features of report showing that, despite
difficulties mentioned, noteworthy beginning had been made not
only with rehabilitation but with definition of policy and
establishment of appropriate administrative measures and necessary
factual surveys.

4. In closing portion of statement Australian representative
referred to published announcement of decision to establish
administrative union and indicated reasons. Subsequently made
clear that this part of statement was for information of Council
as a material fact subsequent to preparation of report and not as
a matter for recommendation by Council.

5. Agreed to President's suggestion above as to procedure for
consideration of report.

6. Representatives of China, United States, Mexico and France made
inquiries on various matters such as training of natives at Suva
Medical School, distinction between finances of Papua and New
Guinea, indenture, education and Administrative Union. Some
questions were answered immediately and on others it was
undertaken that information would be made available (so far as
possible) at second part of present session (probably mid-
February). As list of questions is lengthy but no great present
urgency involved we are awaiting verbatim record before sending
precise list.

7. At close of discussion Council adopted interim resolution
giving credit to Australia for presenting report in all the
circumstances and seeing that further consideration would be given
at second part of this session.

8. Greater part of discussion centred around question of
Administrative Union. We had decided to inform Council at outset
in view of likelihood of bad impression if decision to establish
administrative union were to come to notice of Council only after
report had been discussed. In any case comment on the point was to
be expected in view of references in the report.

9. Chinese representative who showed much interest and concern
made it clear that his questions and observations arose out of
page 14 of the report i.e. were directed to principle of combined
administration (as in Provisional arrangements). General question
would therefore have arisen in this connection and anticipation of
it was a favourable factor.

10. Belgium and France were helpful. United Kingdom officials
privately admitted they are concerned as to bearing of whole
question on Tanganyika and East African Territories. Berendsen
privately, while admitting complete legal validity of Australian
Government's decision, nevertheless felt doubts as to
advisability.

11. Main Chinese objection was that sep[arate]ness [1] is
necessary to ultimate achievement of political identity and self-
government.

12. United States Representative suggested Australian Government
might seek views of Trusteeship Council on plans for
administrative union prior to implementation. Australia supported
by Belgium and France questioned the propriety of such procedure
which in their view contradicted essential concept of
'trusteeship'. Function of Trusteeship Council in view of these
representatives was to review and supervise not to participate in
administrative processes. American representative's point was not
supported and does not find a place in interim resolution (above).

Discussion on this point however was not conclusive and we
anticipate whole question will come up again in February.

13. Please give full study to verbatim record which will be sent
by air as soon as available which we expect will be tomorrow.

Suggest consultation between Canberra, London and Wellington as to
handling of question at next part of session. Loomes is fully
conversant with discussion here and will be able to contribute on
return.

14. Without anticipating your view personal position taken was
that discussion of administrative union-
(A) Should be specific i.e. should relate to a particular
territory and thus arise out of action taken by the administering
authority concerned and-
(B) Should not be designed to direct the administering authority
in advance as to implementation of its undertakings but should be
by way of comment and review on measures adopted and action taken.

15. Council also considered resolution concerning Ewe [2]
petitions (see our UN1220) and adopted this unanimously with minor
verbal amendments including insertion of commendatory provision
supported by New Zealand as to helpfulness of administering
authorities.