I have received the following message from the Deputy Prime
Minister and the
Minister for External Affairs, Dr. H.V. Evatt, which he has asked
me to convey to you. [1]

'I should be most grateful if, in your capacity of Chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, you could assist in achieving
the early ratification by Congress of the South Pacific Commission
Agreement, which was signed in February last at Canberra by your
Ambassador on behalf of the United States.

The Commission is purely an advisory body with the function of
advising member governments, (viz. the United States of America,
Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France and The
Netherlands), in relation to the advancement of native peoples in
the South Pacific.

The Australian Government is most anxious that the South Pacific
Commission should become organised and begin its work with the
least possible delay. A preliminary meeting at Sydney in November,
of representatives of six governments signatory to the agreement,
was able to accomplish useful exploratory work in connection with
the organisation and functions of the commission, but finds itself
prevented from putting forward firm recommendations by the fact
that the United States Government has not yet completed
ratification of the agreement. Unless all ratifications are
lodged, it may be impossible to envoke first meeting of commission
early in 1948 as provided under the agreement.

I understand that both Houses of Congress, in fact, approved the
agreement just before the close of the first session in July but
that the Senate adopted two minor amendments and that insufficient
time remained for the two Houses to agree upon a single version.

It has occurred to me that you might be able to exercise your
considerable influence to ensure that resolution authorising
United States membership on commission, which apparently commands
support in principle of both Houses, is given priority.

Kind personal regards.'

If you would care to let me have a reply for Dr. Evatt I should be
happy to transmit it to him. [2]