My telegram No. 189. [1] Political side of this question will not
have escaped your notice. Whatever the origin of the present
mission, all that the Governor [2] knows is de Gaulle's [3]
statement in your telegram No. 152 [4] that the mission was being
sent, as training and equipment of expeditionary force were to be
undertaken in collaboration with Australia.

Mission has been excellently received, all possible information
given and most searching questions fully answered. Governor and
other authorities realize that the Australian interest in the
defence of New Caledonia is partly inspired by the motives of
self-defence.

General attitude may be summarised as being that as they have no
means of naval and aerial defence they will be grateful for
anything in those spheres which Australia can offer and will make
New Caledonian waters freely available for this purpose and accept
the presence of official Australian personnel. Without
anticipating the mission's report in aerial matters, it can be
stated that all Alexander's [5] requests relating to the
establishment of an air base have been met. For land they consider
that they have adequate man-power which they could use effectively
if they receive equipment for the purpose and therefore do not
want Australian personnel.

They have seventeen million francs available for war expenses and
are prepared to spend this locally where the franc can be used,
and where their purchases require foreign exchange they are
prepared to set aside the franc to the extent that such exchange
is made available.

Continued delay in getting expeditionary force away cannot fail to
affect morale not only of the force but of the colony as a whole;

on the other hand delivery of rifles will have an immensely
stimulating and encouraging effect.

I regard it as essential that when decisions are made on the
mission's recommendations the impression should not be left with
the local authorities that Australia has got all that she regarded
as important while New Caledonia is not being seriously assisted
in the fields which it regards as important and in which it could
make an effort for itself.

I am concerned solely to point out the existence of this political
aspect as a factor to be given its proper place in the problem as
a whole.

BALLARD