Reference your South Pacific Commission.

1. Forsyth and Kerr saw Gerig [1] and Sady [2] yesterday 18th
[October]. Discussed proposed November meeting and United States
representation. United States officials will endeavour to obtain
early decision. They foreshadow approval for United States
participation. Consul-General Sydney almost certainly represent
United States with assistance from Canberra.

2. However in view Assembly commitments and meetings Trusteeship
Council and Caribbean Commission, United States is unlikely to
send advisers from here. Nevertheless State Department Officials
concerned maintain keen interest in and support of Commission and
will now press the view that November meeting is
necessary.

3. Gerig reiterated and emphasised that the United States could
not designate Commissioners at this stage as nomination of
proposed appointees before actual ratification may complicate
process of ratification by deflecting Congressional attention to
names of appointees. This might easily cause undesirable wrangle
over patronage question and delay ratification. State Department
is anxious to brief local representatives in Australia by earliest
possible preparation of careful documentation and believes that
United States can participate usefully on this basis.

4. Possible agenda items for preparatory meeting were discussed
and State Department is to forward suggestions to United States
Embassy Canberra. In addition to items mentioned in your telegrams
State Department suggested discussion of whether Commissioners
should be left relatively free of instructions from Governments or
should be under constant and detailed instruction. United States
in Caribbean Commission follows former practise but other
Governments the latter. This does not help work of the Commission
as Commissioners are acting on different levels and with different
degrees of authority. The United States inclines to favour wider
scope of authority for Commissioners though appreciates that some
types of matters require instructions from Governments. They feel
that the Commission should be an expert advisory authority,
decisions should go forward to Governments only as
recommendations. However United States officials feel that
whichever view prevails it should be a common one and all
Governments should accept it. This matter should be discussed at
November meeting.

5. To assist State Department to prepare their brief, the proposed
agenda should be cabled without delay. If possible the meeting
should be postponed for one or two weeks to enable the State
Department to prepare thoroughly. Gerig stressed this. It is clear
he feels it impracticable to send an expert from here and
consequently detailed written brief for Nilsen [3] will be very
important action in fruitful United States participation.