Pacific Defence Pact
In a recent informal conversation between Mr. Plimsoll[1] and Mr. Wainhouse,[2] Deputy Director, United Nations Division of the State Department, Mr. Wainhouse made the following comment in a personal capacity. He said that Australia should not be discouraged by the failure of the State Department to respond more cordially to the Minister's request for a Pacific Defence Pact. He urged that the Australian Government should keep this issue alive, possibly by following up Mr. Acheson's comments[3] on Mr. Spender's speech and possibly by another public statement. He assured Mr. Plimsoll that there was strong support in the Department for a Pacific Pact, but that the Department should be given further material to work on.

2. With regard to the above, we shall ensure that the Minister's remarks[4] of 8th June on the Pacific Defence Pact are conveyed to the State Department.