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Historical documents

568 Department of External Affairs to Copland

Cablegram B1 CANBERRA, 2 December 1947

We agree the ECAFE should consider plans for developing industry
in the Far Eastern region. In fact, this is perhaps its most
important long-term function and industrial development would,
inter alia, avoid continuance of Japanese domination of Far
Eastern markets. [1]

You should, however, keep in mind instructions contained in our
143 [2] and avoid any discussion on Japanese levels of industry,
reparations from current production to build up other Far Eastern
economies etc.

1 A resolution calling for a report and proposals to assist
development was submitted by Copland and adopted by the
Commission.

2 Cablegram 143, dispatched 25 November, advised that Australia
was opposed to any consideration by the Commission of questions
that were primarily the concern of the peace conference. The
Commission might, however, discuss the impact on the ECAFE region
of the occupation of Japan and F.E.C. interim policy already
decided upon.


[AA : A1068, ER47/3/18]
Last Updated: 11 September 2013
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