Documents on Australian Foreign Policy :: Volume 27: Australia and the United Kingdom, 1960

3. COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE DRAFT BRIEF FOR MOUNTBATTEN'S AUSTRALIA TOUR: 26 January 1961; ‘London, 26 January 1961 Secret The Background of Australian Defence Policy Australian defence policy is a natural projection of conditions in Australia. The country is a hard one and Australians are proud of what they have done with it. They see themselves as a small European community thinly scattered over...’
4. NOTE BY PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT: 20 February 1961; ‘Canberra, 20 February 1961 Secret Background Note for Ministerial Discussions with the Right Honourable The Earl Mountbatten of Burma on 21 February 1961 Mr. Macmillan has informed Mr. Menzies that one of the objects of the Chief of Defence Staff in visiting Canberra is to outline in some detail the...’
5. NOTE BY PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT: 21 February 1961; ‘Canberra, 21 February 1961 Top Secret Record of Meeting with Earl Mountbatten of Burma at Parliament House The United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff informed Ministers that the United Kingdom Government was examining the future deployment of its Defence Forces in the light of a Special Report on tasks likely...’
6. MINUTE, HERDE TO BUNTING: 28 February 1961; ‘Canberra, 28 February 1961 Top Secret I thought you should have the attached Defence Committee Minute as soon as possible.1 Mountbatten mentioned it to the Defence Committee in a fairly casual way but this, together with a few other points he raised, all start to indicate the U.K. intention to...’
7. MINUTE, MOUNTBATTEN TO WATKINSON: 26 June 1961; ‘London, 26 June 1961 Secret Base Facilities in Australia At your recent meetings with Mr. Townley, he emphasised that we should make an early approach to the Australian Government if we were to secure base facilities which we might require in the future, when our other bases east of Suez...’
8. LETTER, MENZIES TO MACMILLAN: 29 June 1961; ‘Canberra, 29 June 1961 Secret Your people here have been advised of our views on the proposals they recently put to us for a two-stage procedure in the Geneva Nuclear Tests Conference for handling the issue of control posts in Australia. I write to you now on an even weightier...’
9. MINUTE, SAMUEL TO DE ZULUETA: 24 July 1961; ‘London, 24 July 1961 Top Secret Thank you for your letter of July 4 enclosing one from Mr. Menzies about giving the Australians information about nuclear weapons. 2The Foreign Secretary has minuted on this as follows: ‘I have read Mr. Menzies’s letter and these are my feelings. It is in...’
10. UK CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM: 9 January 1962; ‘London, 9 January 1962 Top Secret UK Eyes Only British Strategy in the Sixties Introduction 1. The Prime Minister has re-defined the political assumptions on which our defence policy and strategy should be based and has directed that we should prepare, on the basis of these political assumptions, proposals for...’
11. UK CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM: 25 January 1962; ‘London, 25 January 1962 Top Secret UK Eyes Only Australia and New Zealand Defence Planning Introduction 1. In a recent message to the Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, raised important questions concerning the defence implications for New Zealand of the Greater Malaysia proposals and of...’
12. MINUTE, MOUNTBATTEN TO WATKINSON: 25 January 1962; ‘London, 25 January 1962 Top Secret Australia and New Zealand Defence Planning As you know, the Prime Minister has undertaken to inform Mr. Menzies and Mr. Holyoake of the implications in the Far East of current British strategy. At our meeting on 23rd January, 1962 (COS (62) 7th Meeting, Minute...’
13. MESSAGE, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 5 February 1962; ‘London, 5 February 1962 Top Secret In my message of the 20th October1 I gave you an account of some of the long term defence issues we are facing and said that we would wish to examine in consultation with you and New Zealand these major and far reaching questions...’
14. DESPATCH, OLIVER TO DUNCAN SANDYS: 20 July 1962; ‘Canberra, 20 July 1962 Confidential Australia: Review of Woomera Joint Project Arrangements; 1962 The Right Honourable Peter Thorneycroft,1 M.P., then Minister of Aviation, visited Australia between 25th June and 7th July for discussions with Australian Ministers in Canberra about the financial and other arrangements for the future operation of the...’
15. DESPATCH, OLIVER TO DUNCAN SANDYS: 20 November 1962; ‘Canberra, 20 November 1962 Confidential Australian Defence Programme, 1962–65 On the 24th October, the Honourable A. G. Townley, M.P., Minister for Defence, outlined in the House of Representatives the Australian defence programme for the three financial years 1962–65. Copies of this statement have already been sent to your Department and...’
16. NOTE BY HICKS: 23 November 1962; ‘Canberra, 23 November 1962 Top Secret Study of Possible Future Requirement for Commonwealth Bases in Australia The members of the Defence Committee will recall that the above question was raised in a personal message from Mr. Macmillan to the Prime Minister dated 5th February, 19621 (copies circulated under Secretariat minute...’
17. CABLEGRAM, TANGE TO CANBERRA: 11 February 1963; ‘Washington, 11 February 1963 401. Secret Australian Defence Position When Ambassador took me to see Rusk today latter asked whether Australian defences are in adequate shape to assume the burdens arising in this area. Rusk proceeded to ask, by way of example, whether we had ‘reserves of trained men’ to...’
18. MINUTE, WALLER TO BARWICK: 13 February 1963; ‘Canberra, 13 February 1963 Top Secret Australia’s Strategic Situation1 You hold a copy of Defence Committee Minute No. 2/63 entitled ‘Australia’s Strategic Position’. We are informed that this has now been approved by the Minister for Defence and will be submitted to Cabinet. 2. The present paper arises from Cabinet...’
19. MINUTE, WALLER TO BARWICK: 26 February 1963; ‘Canberra, 26 February 1963 Top Secret Australia’s Strategic Situation The punch line in the Defence Committee’s recent review is that the deterioration which has taken place in our strategic situation since 1958 and possible future trends in South-East Asia point to a clear requirement for a progressive expansion of the...’
20. DESPATCH, OLIVER TO DUNCAN SANDYS: 19 March 1963; ‘Canberra, 19 March 1963 Confidential Australian Attitude Toward Malaysia I have the honour to report in greater detail the very welcome decision of the Australian Government to give its full benediction and backing to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia reported briefly in my telegram No.189 dated 6th March....’
21. FOREIGN OFFICE MINUTES BY WATERFIELD, WARNER, CABLE AND PECK: 8 July 1963; ‘London, 17 June– 8 July 1963 Confidential South-East Asia Defence: Australian Policy This intervention by Mr de Zulueta is rather odd. 1 But although there have been ANZAM meetings since Aug ’62, as far as I know there has been no ‘joint study of defence problems in the area’ by...’
22. DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS POLICY PLANNING STUDY: 30 August 1963; ‘Canberra, 30 August 1963 1/63. Secret An Examination of the Nature and Extent of Current British Economic Interests and Political and Military Commitments in South and South East Asia, their likely course over the next Ten Years, and the Implications for Australia Introduction This study of British involvement and policies...’
23. UK CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE MINUTES: 14 July 1964; ‘London, 14 July 1964 Top Secret Base Facilities in the Far East The Committee had before them a Secretary’s Minute covering a note by the Chief of the Naval Staff on base facilities in Australia. Sir David Luce2 said that at their meeting on Tuesday, 30th June 1964, he had...’
24. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMM1TTEE: 14 July 1964; ‘Canberra, 14 July 1964 Top Secret Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy Introduction 1. The ultimate aim of Australia’s defence policy is to ensure the security of the Australian mainland and its island territories. This policy has been based on a forward defence strategy to hold South East Asia, thus...’
25. CABINET DECISION NO. 592: 4 November 1964; ‘Canberra, 4 November 1964 Top Secret Submission No. 493—Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy The Cabinet noted the report by the Defence Committee on the strategic basis of Australian defence policy. 1 It subscribes to the general view brought out by the report that a further substantial deterioration in Australia’s...’
26. LETTER, DOWNER TO MENZIES: 13 November 1964; ‘Australia House, London, 13 November 1964 Private There are many things I would like to tell you about, but standing as you are on the threshold of yet another election campaign you probably will neither have the time nor the inclination to read very much. I would, however, like to...’
27. DESPATCH, OLIVER TO BOTTOMLEY: 8 December 1964; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 8 December 1964 12. Confidential Australia: Defence, In my despatch No. 6 of 3rd July I reported to your predecessor that the Australian defence measures proposed in the Review made on 18th June should not be regarded as entirely inadequate provided that the Government intended them...’
28. UK CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM: 8 February 1965; ‘London, 8 February 1965 Top Secret Specially Restricted Circulation Base Facilities in Australia Introduction 1. BDLS Canberra has reported some speculation in Australia that you are intending to discuss with the Australian Government the establishment of a British base in Australia. It is likely that you will be questioned by...’
29. NOTE BY DEFENCE DEPARTMENT: 17 June 1965; ‘Canberra, 17 June 1965 Top Secret United Kingdom Defence Review1 Defence Statement February 1965 In the Defence Statement of February 1965, the British Government announced that it had set in train a series of studies on Defence policy to cover the effects on force levels and capabilities of a number...’
30. CABLEGRAM, MENZIES TO MCEWEN, PALTRIDGE AND HASLUCK: 3 July 1965; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 3 July 1965 5888. Top Secret Defence Talks1 At Wilson’s request I met him at the House on Thursday afternoon. He had Stewart, Healey, Bottomley and Trend2 with him. I took Bunting, Hartnell and Eastman (High Commissioner being indisposed). Wilson said he had originally envisaged including...’
31. CABLEGRAM, DOWNER TO CANBERRA: 14 August 1965; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 14 August 1965 7037. Secret Priority Malaysia and Singapore I would not at this particular stage expect innermost thoughts but Morgan’s 1 probably indiscreet mention of the possibility of peace feelers to Indonesia and of limiting tenure of Singapore is, I think, fair indication that idea...’
32. FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE COMMITTEE MINUTE: 26 August 1965; ‘Canberra, 26 August 1965 Secret Decision No. 1173 (FAD) Without Memorandum—Proposed Quadripartite Talks Arising from the Separation of Singapore and Malaysia The Committee discussed the invitation extended by the Prime Minister of Britain on 18th August to the Governments of New Zealand, United States and Australia to send senior officials...’
33. CABLEGRAM TO CANBERRA: 2 September 1965; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 2 September 1965 7578. Top Secret Immediate Quadripartite Talks British memorandum entitled ‘The Repercussions in South East Asia of the Separation of Singapore’ was received at 14.30 hours 2nd September. Five copies will be despatched in bag leaving London 6th September. The following is the concluding...’
34. MESSAGE, MENZIES TO WILSON: 3 September 1965; ‘Canberra, 3 September 1965 Top Secret I have just had a first look at your paper prepared in relation to the quadripartite talks. 1 2. The Indonesian policy of ‘confrontation’, as we understood it, had two major objectives—one to break up the Federation and to restore Sabah and Sarawak to...’
35. RECORD OF FIRST MEETING OF QUADRIPARTITE TALKS AT THE COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE: 3 September 1965; ‘London, 3 September 1965 Top Secret The Repercussions in South East Asia of the Separation of Singapore 1. Sir Neil Pritchard (U.K.) after welcoming the other Delegates, said that the British Government considered that the separation of Singapore created a need for urgent and highly secret consultations. The present talks,...’
36. MINUTE, MCINTYRE TO HASLUCK: 15 September 1965; ‘Canberra, 15 September 1965 Secret Future Malaysia/Singapore Defence Arrangements There are two comments that I think worth making on points arising out of last night’s discussion among Ministers: (1) I am sure it is right that we should look forward to an early regularization of the position of the British...’
37. LETTER, DOWNER TO MENZIES: 20 September 1965; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 20 September 1965 Secret I must tell you of a very frank conversation I had today with Denis Healey, the Minister for Defence. It was at Stoke Lodge, after a luncheon I gave for Allen Fairhall and his wife. We were discussing South East Asia, with...’
38. LETTER, GRANDY TO HEAD: 21 September 1965; ‘Singapore, 21 September 1965 Top Secret Personal I enjoyed our talk today and it was most useful to have had a glance through the paper you showed me. I was thinking this over flying back this afternoon after the COC Meeting. If I have it right you recognise that we...’
39. MINUTE, BAILEY TO BUNTING: 13 October 1965; ‘Canberra, 13 October 1965 Top Secret Defence Committee Discussion on the British Presence in Southeast Asia Although you already have a useful note from Mr. Griffith on the Defence Committee agendum on the British presence in Southeast Asia, I feel it important to raise one central issue with you before...’
40. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE: 18 October 1965; ‘Canberra, 18 October 1965 Top Secret British Presence in South East Asia Introduction Since the Quadripartite Meeting was held in London on the 3rd1 and 7th September 1965, it has become clear that the United Kingdom does not intend to initiate any negotiations toward ending confrontation but has left open...’
41. MINUTE, HICKS TO MENZIES: 19 October 1965; ‘Canberra, 19 October 1965 Top Secret British Presence in South East Asia I now attach the retyped version of the Defence Committee report and your covering submission on the ‘British Presence in South East Asia’.1 2. You asked on Saturday morning that I give you a brief note to remind...’
42. LETTER, DOWNER TO WILSON: 22 October 1965; ‘Australia House, London, 22 October 1965 Top Secret I have this morning received this message from Sir Robert Menzies which he asks me to send you:– (begins) ’My dear Harold, We have been much taken up with Rhodesia recently, and, of course, still are. That problem is difficult and very...’
43. TELEGRAM, COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE TO BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, CANBERRA: 19 November 1965; ‘London, 19 November 1965 2978. Top Secret Please pass the following message with date 19 November from the Prime Minister to Sir Robert Menzies: Thank you for your message which your High Commissioner gave me on 22 October.1 I was glad to have such a considered statement of your personal...’
44. MINUTE, BUNTING TO MENZIES: 23 November 1965; ‘Canberra, 23 November 1965 Top Secret Discussion with the British High Commissioner I attach:– Mr. Wilson’s latest message—19th November; Your message of 22nd October, to which Mr. Wilson was responding; Extracts from the Eastman/Hartnell/Bunting account on your meeting in London with Mr. Wilson and other Ministers at the House of...’
45. TELEGRAM, JOHNSTON TO COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE: 24 November 1965; ‘Canberra, 24 November 1965 1428. Priority Secret After delivering Prime Minister’s message1 to Sir Robert Menzies on 20 November, I saw him today and spoke as instructed in your telegram No. 2977. Minister of External Affairs and Acting Minister of Defence were also present. 2. Australian Prime Minister explained his...’
46. MESSAGE, WILSON TO MENZIES: 31 December 1965; ‘London, 31 December 1965 Top Secret Washington Talks You will wish to have from me an account of my talks in Washington with the President and members of his Administration, particularly as regards our current Defence Review. 2. The talks could hardly have been more friendly, more open and more...’
47. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE: 5 January 1966; ‘Canberra, January 1966 Top Secret British Defence Review: Report by the Defence Committee on Matters for Discussion between British, Australian and New Zealand Ministers Introduction At its meeting on 5th January, 1966, the Cabinet noted that the British Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and Defence would be visiting Washington...’
48. CABLEGRAM, MENZIES TO DOWNER: 19 January 1966; ‘Canberra, 19 January 1966 293. Secret Would you please transmit the following personal message from me to Mr. Harold Wilson on the subject of the British defence review and Mr. Healey’s coming visit. ‘Message to Mr. Harold Wilson from Sir Robert Menzies dated 19th January Thank you for your long...’
49. MINUTE, GRIFFITH TO BUNTING: 19 January 1966; ‘Canberra, 19 January 1966 Top Secret I accept the major premise of this paper1 that Britain should retain a base in South East Asia for as long as is practical to do so. It must be accepted that if confrontation declines, Britain will want to reduce her forces in South...’
50. MINUTE, GRIFFITH TO BUNTING: 27 January 1966; ‘Canberra, 27 January 1966 The British memorandum1 and paper on the defence review contains a thesis along the lines of the note I did yesterday. It is clear that the whole British objective is to avoid being in a situation of primary commitment in South East Asia and that she...’
51. MLNUTE, BUNTING TO HOLT: 30 January 1966; ‘Canberra, 30 January 1966 Meeting with Mr. Healey The subject is so vast with so many sub-headings, each capable of giving rise to argument, that the most useful contribution I can make, I think, is to put down in as short a form as I can the dominant issues. Wherever...’
52. CABINET DECISION NO. 33 (FAD): 30 January 1966; ‘Canberra, 30 January 1966 Top Secret Without Memorandum—British Defence Review The Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee had for consideration a further report by the Defence Committee prepared in light of:– two papers from the British Government, viz. * United Kingdom Defence Review—Aide Memoire by Her Majesty’s Government1 * United Kingdom...’
53. SUMMARY RECORD OF DISCUSSIONS WITH HEALEY: 2 February 1966; ‘Canberra, 1–2 February 1966 Top Secret Defence Consultations Tuesday, 1 February 1966, commencing at ll a.m. The Prime Minister welcomed Mr. Healey and Mr. Eyre and the members of their delegations and said that he and his colleagues were looking forward to the talks, which were amongst the most critical...’
54. LETTER, DOWNER TO WILSON: 8 February 1966; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 8 February 1966 Top Secret I have been asked by my Prime Minister to transmit the following message to you:&Ndash; (begins) My dear Harold, I greatly appreciated the worth of your congratulations and your welcoming of me into the company of Commonwealth Prime Ministers. It is...’
55. LETTER, DOWNER TO WILSON: 25 February 1966; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 25 February 1966 Secret I have been asked by my Prime Minister to send you the following message:— ‘My dear Harold, I was glad to have your message, through your High Commissioner, on 23rd February, about your defence review. Furthermore, it was helpful for us to...’
56. REPORT BY OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF CABINET DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE: 10 May 1966; ‘London, 10 May 1966 Secret Indo–Pacific Policy1 Western Policy [ matter omitted ] 29. It is the aim of Western Policy to prevent Chinese control of the whole of South East Asia by the establishment of a bloc of satellites on the analogy of Stalin’s treatment of Eastern Europe in...’
57. CABLEGRAM TO CANBERRA: 1 June 1966; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 1 June 1966 5295. Secret Holt from Downer 1. I saw Harold Wilson at 10 Downing Street at 4 o’clock this afternoon, and talked with him for over three-quarters of an hour. He received me in the Cabinet Room, and was very friendly, relaxed and frank....’
58. BRIEF FOR HOLT: 27 June 1966; ‘Canberra, 27 June 1966 Top Secret British Bases in Australia The agreed Minute following the Cabinet consultations with Mr. Healey included the following:— ‘Military representatives of the countries at the present talks should meet together without commitment to examine what might be involved physically and in terms of costs and...’
59. MINUTE OF CABINET DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING: 29 June 1966; ‘London,29 June 1966 Secret Statement for the Foreign Secretary in Canberra: Attitude of the United Kingdom in the Event of Aggression against Australia The Commonwealth Secretary2 referred to telegram No. 915 of 26th June from Canberra containing a message from the Foreign Secretary.3 To dispel doubts in some circles in...’
60. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN BROWN AND RUSK AT US STATE DEPARTMENT: 18 April 1967; ‘Washington, 18 April 1967 Top Secret Mr. Brown explained that our present economic situation had caused us to take another long look at all expenditure. No decisions would be taken until July, but we wanted to explain the situation to our allies and take their views into account. 2. Although...’
61. TELEGRAM, COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, CANBERRA: 20 April 1967; ‘London, 20 April 1967 842. Top Secret Please pass the following message from the Prime Minister to Mr. Holt as soon as possible. Begins. I arranged with George Brown that he would take the opportunity of his visit to Washington for the SEATO meeting to let Paul Hasluck and also...’
62. TELEGRAM, JOHNSTON TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 21 April 1967; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 21 April 1967 636. Immediate Top Secret For the first time in my experience of him, Mr. Holt looked badly shaken and grey in the face. His tone was calm throughout and he emphasised that the message1 to the Prime Minister which he had sent after...’
63. MEMORANDUM, RUSK TO BROWN: 21 April 1967; ‘US Embassy, London, 21 April 1967 Secret 1. We are well aware of the United Kingdom’s economic, budgetary and foreign exchange difficulties which lie at the heart of the decision being considered to reduce your forces in Singapore–Malaysia by about one-half over the next four years. Nonetheless we are deeply...’
64. LETTER, DOWNER TO WILSON: 21 April 1967; ‘Australia House, London, 21 April 1967 Secret And Immediate I have received this morning the following message from my Prime Minister, and Mr. Holt is most anxious for you to read it as soon as possible. (begins) ‘My dear Harold, We are gravely troubled by what we have been told...’
65. MESSAGE, BUNTING TO WALLER: 3 May 1967; ‘Canberra, 3 May 1967 Secret The Prime Minister wishes you to transmit to the White House the following personal message from him to the President. He also indicates that you should feel authorized to supplement message as necessary by giving the President or his staff access to cables which you...’
66. CABLEGRAM, DOWNER TO HOLT: 3 May 1967; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 3 May 1967 5326. Secret For Prime Minister Alone Yesterday at a reception we gave at Stoke Lodge for the Governor-General a number of Cabinet Ministers came including Callaghan, George Brown, Bowden, Crossman, and Peart. Elwyn Jones and Judith Hart were also there.1 (All Ministers except...’
67. MINUTE BY PLIMSOLL: 5 May 1967; ‘Canberra, 5 May 1967 Top Secret External Affairs Assessment: Britain East of Suez Looking at it in retrospect it was something of a tour de force of the British White Paper of 1966 to assert baldly Britain’s intention to maintain its bases in Singapore and Malaysia so long as they...’
68. LETTER, RUSK TO BROWN: 12 May 1967; ‘Washington, 12 May 1967 Secret Thank you for your letter of May 1.1 Denis Healey told Bob McNamara he will be reporting to the Cabinet on May 12 on his visit to Singapore/Malaysia, and presumably, on his conversations with Bob. I am answering your letter now so that you will...’
69. CABLEGRAM, CRITCHLEY TO CANBERRA: 16 May 1967; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 16 May 1967 6008. Top Secret British Defence Policy United States embassy officials are pinning their hopes on the President being able to persuade Wilson in Washington that it would be unfriendly and unwise to say the least to insist on taking a decision now to...’
70. CABINET DECISION NO. 357 (FAD): 25 May 1967; ‘Canberra, 25 May 1967 Top Secret Submission No. 283—Britain East of the Suez The Committee considered the report of the Defence Committee annexed to the Submission. The Committee agreed:– (a) that the central objective of Australian policy is to secure a continuing British commitment to the Malaysian region, the text...’
71. MINUTE, BAILEY TO HOLT: 9 June 1967; ‘Canberra, 9 June 1967 New Papers In this folder are the most recent cables, and a note prepared by Mr Pritchett that Sir Laurence1 has asked me to let you see. 2. The note really takes the form of some jottings on the theme that Asia is a land of...’
72. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN WILSON AND HOLT: 13 June 1967; ‘London, 13 June 1967 Secret Far East Defence [ matter omitted ]2 Far East Defence Mr. Holt said that Australia’s concern at the proposed British policy for the mid-70s was not primarily a matter of Australian military security. This was protected by the ANZUS Treaty (and, to some extent, even...’
73. RECORD BY DOWNER OF MEETING BETWEEN WILSON AND HOLT AND OFFICIALS: 13 June 1967; ‘London, 13 June 1967 Secret Conference at No. 10 Downing Street, in the Cabinet Room, between British and Australian delegations The proceedings opened at 11.30, with Mr. Wilson saying that he and Mr. Holt had had a private talk for three-quarters of an hour on general.’terms:2 The British Prime Minister...’
74. NOTE OF MEETING BY UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: 14 June 1967; ‘London, 14 June 1967 Top Secret Mr. Holt thanked Mr. Healey for his welcome and referred to the discussion in the Cabinet Room on the previous day.2 Some of the issues had not been explored as far as he would like, and he proposed to take them further today. He...’
75. LETTER, HOLT TO WILSON: 16 June 1967; ‘London, 16 June 1967 Secret You said to me before I left Australia on this present journey that your Government would not proceed to decisions on defence matters as they relate to the region of Malaysia and Singapore until such time as I had had an opportunity to put to...’
76. CABINET DECISION NO. 403: 4 July 1967; ‘Canberra, 4 July 1967 Secret Without Memorandum—British Defence Policy East of Suez The Cabinet noted that information to hand suggested that the British Government would, within a matter of a few days, begin its series of meetings bearing on its defence policy East of Suez. It also noted that so...’
77. LETTER, HOLT TO CLARK: 5 July 1967; ‘Canberra, 5 July 1967 Secret As you know, the British Government is coming to the stage at which, as we understand it, it will be deciding on its attitude concerning its future defence position East of Suez. In relation to this, l would like you, today, to send to the...’
78. LETTER, LEE KUAN YEW TO HOLT: 6 July 1967; ‘Singapore, 6 July 1967 Secret I received your letter 16th June, 1967, on 21st June, in London. My colleague Goh Keng Swee1 was briefed by W. B. Pritchett of your External Affairs Department in Singapore before joining me. I found your letter and the briefing and a further discussion with...’
79. CABLEGRAM, AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY IN US TO CANBERRA: 8 July 1967; ‘Washington, 8 July 1967 2877. Secret Following is text of letter from Rusk to Brown:– ‘The President has just written to the Prime Minister on the Middle East and on our deep concern about any decision to reduce your presence in Southeast Asia. We continue to feel very strongly that...’
80. MESSAGE, WILSON TO HOLT: 13 July 1967; ‘London, 13 July 1967 Top Secret Thank you for your message which Alick Downer sent to me on 30th June. I too greatly valued the cordial atmosphere in which we had our talks. We had several meetings with Harry Lee and we now have the Tunku here. You will wish...’
81. CABLEGRAM, BUNTING TO DOWNER: 14 July 1967; ‘Canberra, 14 July 1967 7227. Top Secret Immediate Repeated: Australian High Commission, Wellington 602 (for McNicol)1 Australian Embassy, Washington 2356 (for Furlonger)2 For High Commissioner from Bunting. The Prime Minister wished to have the following message conveyed to Mr. Wilson, and would appreciate it if you would arrange this urgently:–...’
82. LETTER, DOWNER TO WILSON: 18 July 1967; ‘Australia House, London, 18 July 1967 Secret In the message from my Prime Minister to you which I transmitted earlier this afternoon,1 Mr. Holt mentioned that he would be making a statement on the terms of your Defence White Paper, and would send it to you. This is the statement....’
83. MINUTE, OLDHAM TO HASLUCK: 19 July 1967; ‘Canberra, 19 July 1967 Immediate Britain’s Defence Policy I served as a departmental officer in Britain from February 1939 to November 1945. Previously ( 1928) and since (1948) I have lived there. The announcement of Britain’s intended complete withdrawal of forces from East of Suez by mid-nineteen-seventies therefore is easier...’
84. MINUTE, CRITCHLEY TO HASLUCK: 4 August 1967; ‘Canberra, 4 August 1967 Secret British Attitudes to Defence in South East Asia The present British Government is inclined to discount the threat of China and is anxious to avoid and to shed S.E.A.T.O. commitments. 2. The Government wants to avoid involvement in Viet Nam in Thailand in insurgency operations...’
85. NOTE BY OSBORN: 22 August 1967; ‘Canberra, 22 August 1967 Top Secret British Foreign Policy—Australian Assumptions There has long been an ambivalence in British foreign policy. There have always been Europe-first and Empire-first schools of thought in both the major British political parties. British policies have fluctuated between them according to assessments of the threat posed...’
86. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE: 24 August 1967; ‘Canberra, 24 August 1967 443/1967. Top Secret Australian Defence Policy—Implications of United Kingdom Withdrawal from Malaysia and Singapore 1. The Australian reaction to United Kingdom withdrawal from Malaysia/Singapore is dependent on two major factors which in many respects are outside our control: the strategy and actions of the United States...’
87. CABINET DECISION NO. 656 (FAD): 25 August 1967; ‘Canberra, 25 August 1967 Top Secret Submission No. 441—Possible Increased Australian Military Contribution to Viet Nam Submission No. 443—Australian Defence Policy—Implications of British Withdrawal from Malaysia and Singapore Submission No. 408 and 442—Continuation of Defence Aid for Malaysia and Singapore Summary record The Committee had before it Submission 441 (Possible...’
88. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN BROWN, JENKINS, HEALEY AND THOMSON: 20 December 1967; ‘London, 20 December 1967 Top Secret The meeting considered a memorandum on ‘Further Defence Cuts’ which was circulated by the Chancellor. THE CHANCELLOR said that he was committed to announcing a large package of cuts in public expenditure by 17th January. This would need to cover both defence and civil...’
89. TELEGRAM, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 12 January 1968; ‘Canberra, 12 January 1968 92. Immediate Secret Following for Prime Minister from Commonwealth Secretary. I outlined our proposals to Gorton1 and other Ministers and Officials on Defence and Foreign Policy Committees this morning.2 In addition to my general presentation I explained that the idea of a Five Power Conference was...’
90. AIDE MEMOIRE, GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA: 12 January 1968; ‘Canberra, 12 January 1968 The Australian Government has received from the Secretary of State the proposals of this Government providing for complete withdrawal of British defence forces from bases in Malaysia and Singapore by 31st March, 1971. The proposals make no provision beyond that date for any form of continuing...’
91. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE: 24 January 1968; ‘Canberra, 24 January 1968 7/1968. Secret Implications for Australia of the British Defence Decisions: January 1968 Introduction Before the visit by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the essence of the Australian position in Malaysia/Singapore was that Australia should seek to prolong British involvement there to the greatest extent...’
92. CABINET NOTE BY HASLUCK AND FAIRHALL: 24 January 1968; ‘Canberra, 24 January 1968 8/1968. Secret Australia’s Role in Asian Security The report of the Defence Committee on the ‘implications for Australia of the British Defence Decisions: January 1968’ has been circulated to Cabinet.1 We invite Cabinet’s attention to the wide issues of national policy to be borne in mind...’
93. CABINET DECISION NO. 12 (FAD): 25 January 1968; ‘Canberra, 25 January 1968 Secret Submission No. 7—Implications for Australia of the British Defence Decisions, January 19681 Submission No. 8-Australia’s Role in Asian Security2 The Committee noted the timing of developments relating to the recent British Defence decisions, viz. Completion by 18th February in Singapore of British military plans for...’
94. REPORT BY JOINT PLANNING COMMITTEE: 1 March 1968; ‘Canberra, March 1968 ANNEX TO 18/1968. Top Secret Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy, 1968 1. The aim of Australian defence policy is to ensure the security of Australia and her Territories. To achieve this aim Australia has adopted a forward defence strategy relying primarily on collective security arrangements with...’
95. NOTE BY PLIMSOLL: 10 May 1968; ‘Canberra, 10 May 1968 Top Secret Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy 1. The Defence Committee this morning considered Agendum No. 12/1968, ‘Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy, 1968’ .1 This had been considered by the Chiefs of Staff Committee on 15th March. 2. Lt. General Sir John Wilton said...’
96. DESPATCH, DEAN TO STEWART: 10 May 1968; ‘British Embassy, Washington, 10 May 1968 Confidential In his despatch of 21 May (10/1 )2 Sir Charles Johnston gave an account of how Australia saw, and reacted to, Her Majesty’s Government’s decision to withdraw from East of Suez. He went on to describe the attitude of the new Prime Minister...’
97. DESPATCH, ROOKE TO THOMSON: 16 July 1968; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 16 July 1968 10/1. Confidential Sir Charles Johnston in his despatch of 21 May2 assessed Australian defence thinking in the light of our decision to withdraw troops East of Suez by the end of 1971 at a time when the Australian Government was preparing for the...’
98. MINUTE, FAIRHALL TO CABINET: 22 August 1968; ‘Canberra, 22 August 1968 Top Secret The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—1968 Attached is the Report of the Defence Committee: The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—1968. 1 2. In the light of the conclusions come to by Ministers from their consideration of the Report, the Defence Department Machinery...’
99. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE: 22 August 1968; ‘Canberra, 22 August 1968 306/1968. Top Secret The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—19681 [ matter omitted ] 12. Australia’s strategic interests 167. The foregoing discussion has identified the following strategic interests as a basis for the consideration of policy: (a) The development of the USA/USSR détente and of their...’
100. MINUTE, BUNTING TO MCEWEN: 6 September 1968; ‘Canberra, 6 September 1968 Top Secret This is the new paper on the Defence Policy.1 To read it from start to finish and take it in is the work of at least a day, and may be a good deal more. Yet I doubt if your situation allows you to...’
101. CABINET DECISION NO. 762: 4 December 1968; ‘Canberra, 19 November and 4 December 1968 Top Secret Submission No. 306—The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy, 19681 The Cabinet asked that it be understood from the outset that it saw the Report of the Defence Committee as a wide-ranging analysis containing viewpoints, stated or implied, going in many...’
102. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN WILSON AND GORTON: 7 January 1969; ‘London, 7 January 1969 Secret After some discussion of Rhodesia (which is recorded separately) the Prime Minister invited Mr. Gorton to describe the present situation of Australia and the future development of Australian policies. The Development of Australia Mr. Gorton said that Australia, which expected by the year 2000 to...’
103. GORTON, STATEMENT TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 25 February 1969; ‘Canberra, 25 February 1969 The purpose of this statement is to inform the House of what the Australian Government is prepared to do militarily in Malaysia/Singapore after the British withdrawal from those areas and to set this in the context of our general interest, involvement in, and thinking concerning the...’
104. CABINET DECISION NO. 575 (AD HOC): 31 July 1970; ‘Canberra, 31 July 1970 Secret Without Submission—Visit of the British Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt. Hon. Lord Carrington1 The Prime Minister welcomed Lord Carrington in his new capacity as Minister of State for Defence and the opportunity to discuss with him the approach and plans of the British...’
105. DESPATCH, JOHNSTON TO DOUGLAS-HOME: 4 August 1970; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 4 August 1970 Confidential The Secretary of State for Defence visited Canberra from 30 July until 2 August as part of his tour to discuss the proposed five power defence arrangements in the Far East with the Commonwealth Governments concerned. A copy of Lord Carrington’s programme...’
106. MINUTE, CARRINGTON TO HEATH: 6 August 1970; ‘London, 6 August 1970 Secret Five Power Defence Arrangements and British Military Presence in South East Asia You will have seen the telegrams I sent from each of the capitals I visited during my tour of consultation on this subject in the light of the DOPC and Cabinet discussions on...’
107. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE: 1 March 1971; ‘Canberra, March 1971 107. Top Secret The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—1971 Introduction 1. Successive reviews of the Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy during the past decade (from the 1958 to the 1968 versions) have been carried out against a background of a basically constant threat of communist...’
108. MINUTE, GORTON TO CABINET: 19 May 1971; ‘Canberra, 19 May 1971 Secret The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—1971 In accordance with established procedure, the attached Report of the Defence Committee, ‘The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—1971’ is submitted for the Cabinet’s consideration.1 2. The Report, together with the conclusions reached by Ministers in their consideration...’
109. MINUTE, EASTMAN TO BUNTING: 24 May 1971; ‘Canberra, 24 May 1971 Secret The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy, 1971 The Department of Foreign Affairs had a substantial part in the preparation of the Report attached to the Submission, both in its drafting stages and in its consideration and re-drafting by the Defence Committee. 2. Not everything...’
110. MINUTE, BAILEY TO MCMAHON: 7 June 1971; ‘Canberra, 7 June 1971 Secret Strategic Review—Submission No. 1071 Attached, as requested, is a note of the main points you made during the discussions this afternoon. 2. You may like to expand on the regional aspects of points 3 and 4 in the light of the Secretary’s minute. 3. I...’
111. MINUTE, BUNTING TO MCMAHON: 7 June 1971; ‘Canberra, 7 June 1971 Secret The Prime Minister I raise one point of development from this afternoon’s discussions on the strategic basis of Australia’s defence policy. 2. It is the role Australia, as a middle power, can play in the South East Asian region. The role extends beyond defence to...’
112. CABINET DECISION NO. 197: 8 June 1971; ‘Canberra, 8 June 1971 Secret Submission No. 107—The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy, 1971 The Cabinet noted the Report of the Defence Committee entitled ‘The Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—1971 ’.Against the background that it is Australia’s own interests that are of fundamental importance, it noted in particular...’
113. MINUTE, LAWLER TO MCMAHON: 9 June 1971; ‘Canberra, 9 June 1971 Secret The Prime Minister Attached is a draft Decision on the Strategic Basis Submission.2 2. The Decision has been written in very brief form—both Mr. Bailey and I feeling that the outcome of the discussion required this. However, I think it is a case where we...’
114. MINUTE, BAILEY TO MCMAHON: 10 June 1971; ‘Canberra, 10 June 1971 Secret The Prime Minister You asked for a note of the main points made by Ministers during the Cabinet discussions on 8 June. 2. The attached paper has been prepared in response. It makes no attempt to reflect the ebb and flow of discussion. Its object...’
115. CABINET DECISION NO.319: 26 July 1971; ‘Canberra, 26 July 1971 Top Secret Without Submission—Withdrawal of Australian Force from Vietnam The Cabinet took up the question of the future of the Australian forces in Vietnam. 2. It conducted its discussion in the light of the development in United States policy, which the U.S. President’s proposal to visit...’
116. CABLEGRAM, FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY, JAKARTA: 2 February 1973; ‘Canberra, 2 February 1973 1071. Confidential Prime Minister’s Visit Following is the text of the PM’s speech to the D.P.R.1 Begins: I am profoundly moved by the honour you have done me, and through me, my government and nation, in inviting me to address you. I do so now as...’
117. SPEECH, BARNARD TO THE FIRST TUESDAY GROUP: 3 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 3 April 1973 I thank you for your kind words of welcome. It is an honour to be asked to address you today and I thank you for your invitation. What I have done since becoming Minister for Defence is to take a number of steps to ensure that...’
118. REPORT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE: 1 June 1973; ‘Canberra, 1 June 1973 Secret Strategic Basis of Australian Defence Policy—1973 PART 1: Introduction Australia is remote from the principal centres of strategic interest of the major Powers, namely Western Europe and East Asia, and even those of secondary interest, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the North West Pacific....’
119. SUBMISSION NO. 491, BARNARD TO CABINET: 29 June 1973; ‘Canberra, 29 June 1973 Confidential Five Power Arrangements When the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of Cabinet considered my earlier Submission on this subject on 29 March it noted my proposals for a phased withdrawal of Australian forces from Singapore and Malaysia and in particular the proposals that: (a) after...’
120. DESPATCH, JAMES TO DOUGLAS-HOME: 12 September 1973; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 12 September 1973 Confidential The Australian Government and Defence The first of my three despatches1 of 3, 5 and 6 April about the new Australian Labour Party Government described the first phase in the degringolade which has occurred here—since they were elected—in matters of defence. I...’
121. MEMORANDUM BY ECONOMIC STEERING (EUROPE) COMMITTEE: 25 May 1960; ‘London, 25 May 1960 Secret The Six and the Seven: Long Term Arrangements I. The Immediate Outlook 1. The negotiations in 1957 and 1958 for a European Free Trade Area foundered largely because of a lack of political will on the part of some Governments of the Six (especially the...’
122. NOTE BY NORMAN BROOK: 6 July 1960; ‘London, 6 July 1960 Secret Association with the European Economic Community On 27th May the European Economic Association Committee agreed that the broad choice for the United Kingdom was either to seek a close association with the European Economic Community or to continue to remain aloof from it while doing...’
123. REPORT BY ECONOMIC STEERING (EUROPE) COMMITTEE: 6 July 1960; ‘London, 6 July 1960 Secret The Six and the Seven: The Long–Term Objective COVERING NOTE TO THE ANSWERS TO THE PRIME MINISTER’S LIST OF QUESTIONS Introduction We attach replies to the questions circulated by the Prime Minister in his memorandum of 1st June (E.Q. (60) 29). They are in the...’
124. SUBMISSION NO. 996, MCEWEN TO CABINET: 9 February 1961; ‘Canberra, 9 February 1961 Secret The Possible Association of the United Kingdom with the European Economic Community The last report to Cabinet on developments relating to the possible association of the United Kingdom with the European Economic Community (EEC) was submitted in September, 1959.1 2. This is a subject which...’
125. MEMORANDUM, O'DONNELL TO HOLT: 13 February 1961; ‘Canberra, 13 February 1961 Possible Association of UK with the EEC: Cabinet Submission No. 9961 This is an ‘information’ paper by the Minister for Trade. It makes no recommendations although it does canvass (paragraphs 19 to 24 of the attachment) three possible courses Australia might take. In general, we think...’
126. CABLEGRAM, MCEWEN TO MENZIES: 6 March 1961; ‘Geneva, 6 March 1961 120. Secret The United Kingdom and the Common Market 1. You have no doubt seen reports of the statement made by Heath to Paris meeting of Western European Union on 27th February.1 This seems to have been a careful statement incorporating a real change in some...’
127. MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN HEATH, LLOYD, MENZIES, HOLYOAKE AND BANDARANAIKE: 17 March 1961; ‘London, 17 March 1961 Confidential European Integration: The United Kingdom Position This question was discussed by United Kingdom Ministers with Australia, New Zealand and Ceylon on the afternoon of Friday, 17th March. Present for the United Kingdom were Mr Selwyn Lloyd1 in the Chair, the Lord Privy Seal Mr Heath,...’
128. MESSAGE, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 15 April 1961; ‘London, 15 April 1961 Secret I sent you as soon as possible after my return to London a general account of my talks in Washington.1 I think that you will like to have the following more detailed account about the question of the Six and the Seven. 2. I found...’
129. REPORT BY ECONOMIC STEERING (EUROPE) COMMITTEE: 26 April 1961; ‘London, 26 April 1961 Secret Implications of Signing the Treaty of Rome […] Commonwealth aspects 16. A decision by the United Kingdom to join the Six would clearly have major political implications for the Commonwealth. We should be entering a relationship with Europe different from, and in some respects closer...’
130. CABINET MINUTE, 24TH CONCLUSIONS: 26 April 1961; ‘London, 26 April 1961 Secret […] The Prime Minister said that the time had not yet come to take a final decision on the question whether the United Kingdom should accede to the Treaty of Rome. Many important aspects of this problem would have to be further considered in detail,...’
131. SUBMISSION NO.L108, MCEWEN TO CABINET: 5 May 1961; ‘Canberra, 5 May 1961 Secret Possible Association of the United Kingdom with the European Economic Community 1. In Submission No. 996 of 9th February, 1961,1 I reported to Cabinet on developments in connection with the possible association of the United Kingdom with the European Economic Community (the EEC or the...’
132. MESSAGE, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 17 May 1961; ‘London, 17 May 1961 Secret I sent you a message on April 15 about the bearing of my talks in Washington on the problem of the Six and the Seven.1 Since then there has been a good deal of speculation in this country about the possibility of the United Kingdom...’
133. MESSAGE, MENZIES TO MACMLLLAN: 30 May 1961; ‘Canberra, 30 May 1961 Secret We have followed with great interest the reports of the Commons Debates and the related press speculation on the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community, and I therefore found your messages of 15th April and 17th May most helpful.1 What I write in this...’
134. MESSAGE, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 31 May 1961; ‘London, 31 May 1961 Secret Europe and the Commonwealth I sent you a message on 16th May2 about the progress of our work on the problem of the association of the United Kingdom with the Six. […] I attach the greatest importance as I know you do to our having...’
135. REPORT BY EUROPEAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE: 12 June 1961; ‘London, 12 June 1961 Secret The Implications of Signing the Treaty of Rome: Commonwealth Free Entry [ matter omitted ] The Lord Privy Seal told the Council of Western European Union in Paris in February that, if the Six could meet our Commonwealth and agricultural difficulties, we could then consider...’
136. MINUTE, AD HOC CABINET MEETING: 18 June 1961; ‘Chequers, 18 June 1961 Secret Europe and the Commonwealth THE PRIME MINISTER said that the Meeting should first examine the reports prepared by officials on the implications of signing the Treaty of Rome, in order to identify the main problems which would arise if the United Kingdom applied to accede;...’
137. MINUTE, INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEETING: 20 June 1961; ‘Canberra, 20 June 1961 Confidential United Kingdom and European Economic Community: Visit by Mr Duncan Sandys to Australia An Interdepartmental meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Department on Tuesday, 20th June, 1961, in connection with the proposed visit by the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, Mr...’
138. MESSAGE, BUNTING TO MENZIES: 1 June 1961; ‘Canberra, undated [June 1961] As you will be seeing the Minister for Trade on Thursday night in relation to the Sandys visit, I am sending you the following as ‘recommended preliminary reading’. It is long. But if you can, please persevere. 2. We had a further interdepartmental meeting this week...’
139. SUBMISSION NO. 1188, MCEWEN TO CABINET: 1 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 1 July 1961 Secret ` United Kingdom and the European Economic Community Implications for Australia’s Trade Australia’s Trade Interests 1. This paper depicts only the trade background against which the impact upon Australian trade interests would have to be considered if the United Kingdom—which is Australia’s most important single...’
140. SUBMISSION NO. 1183, MENZIES TO CABINET: 26 June 1961; ‘Canberra, 26 June 1961 Secret The Political Implications for Australia of United Kingdom Entry into the European Economic Community Introduction Prospects for United Kingdom Participation The two major obstacles to the United Kingdom participation in the European Economic Community have been the lack of a positive desire on Britain’s part...’
141. MEMORANDUM, TANGE TO MENZIES: 6 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 6 July 1961 Secret Discussions with Mr Sandys This is intended as [a] ‘prompt’ list of questions upon which you might draw in discussions. The idea of the paper is approved by other Depts: but I have yet to get their comment on the validity of the ‘economic’ question...’
142. MEMORANDUM,WALKER TO TANGE: 4 July 1961; ‘Australian Embassy, Paris, 4 July 1961 Secret United Kingdom and the EEC […] The following observations […] although too late to be of assistance in preparing for the immediately pending discussions,1 may have some relevance to issues arising subsequently. […] The UK Government seriously miscalculated in its original assessment of...’
143. MINUTE, BUNTING TO MENZIES: 7 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 7 July 1961 Secret An Extreme View, But One Which Might With Advantage be Put The history of this matter is:– 1. The United Kingdom elected to stand outside of the Six in the early stages. When the Six formed themselves up, the Uhited Kingdom tried to develop an...’
144. MINUTES, SANDYS’ 1ST MEETING WITH AUSTRALIAN CABINET: 8 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 8 July 1961 Secret The United Kingdom and European Economic Community Consultations 1. The Prime Minister, in welcoming Mr Sandys, said that the Australian Government considered that the issues involved in the United Kingdom’s decision whether to enter or not to enter the European Economic Community were not only...’
145. MINUTES, SANDYS'2ND MEETING WITH AUSTRALIAN CABINET: 8 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 8 July 1961 Secret The United Kingdom and European Economic Community Consultations 1. Mr Sandys opened the discussion by addressing himself to the economic aspect of the question of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community. He outlined the United Kingdom’s view in accordance with paragraph 43 to...’
146. MINUTES, SANDYS’ 4TH, 5TH AND 6TH MEETINGS WITH AUSTRALIAN CABINET: 11 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 10 & 11 July 1961 The United Kingdom and European Economic Community Consultations 1. The Prime Minister recalled that it had been proposed that Mr Holt would raise some points regarding sterling area and other financial implications of the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Economic Community. Mr Holt...’
147. CABINET MINUTE, DECISION NO. 1443: 10 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 10 July 1961 Secret Without memorandum—United Kingdom and European Economic Community Consultations. 1. A discussion was held on meetings already held with Mr Sandys and also on the position it would take when the meetings with Mr Sandys resumed. 2. The explanation of the United Kingdom’s willingness to negotiate...’
148. CABINET MINUTE, DECISION NO. 1442: 10 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 10 July 1961 Secret Without memorandum: United Kingdom and European Economic Community consultations: Draft Communique 1. The Cabinet considered the draft communique put forward by Mr Sandys as an alternative to the Australian draft communique.1 2. It took the view that although Mr Sandys had indicated that he would...’
149. TELEGRAM, SANDYS TO MACMILLAN: 11 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 11 July 1961 37. Secret I have had most difficult meetings with Australian Ministers on Monday about the communique, although up till then discussions though forthright were friendly and constructive. 2. They are determined to include passages which indicate their belief that British membership of EEC would inevitably weaken...’
150. COMMUNIQUE, MEETING BETWEEN SANDYS AND AUSTRALIAN CABINET: 11 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 11 July 1961 Joint statement by the United Kingdom and Australia The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Menzies, and other Australian Ministers have during the last few days had discussions with the British Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, Mr. Duncan Sandys. Mr. Sandys explained the various considerations which...’
151. TELEGRAM, SANDYS TO MACMILLAN: 11 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 11 July 1961 37. Secret I have just completed my talks with the Australians. You will see in the communique that they have said that they do not feel ‘entitled to object’ to our opening negotiations. With a general election in a few months’ time, in which the farmers’...’
152. MEMORANDUM BY SANDYS: 21 July 1961; ‘London, 21 July 1961 Secret Europe: Talks with the New Zealand, Australian and Canadian Governments In the past three weeks I have had talks with the New Zealand, Australian and Canadian Governments about the possibility of Britain joining the European Economic Community. […] 2. These statements tended to highlight the...’
153. SPEECH BY MACMILLAN, HOUSE OF COMMONS: 31 July 1961; ‘London, 31 July 1961 […] The future relations between the European Economic Community, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the rest of Europe are clearly matters of capital importance in the life our country and, indeed, of all the countries of the free world. This is a political as well...’
154. STATEMENT BY MENZIES: 31 July 1961; ‘Canberra, 31 July 1961 United Kingdom and European Economic Community Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies The British Govemment has now made a momentous decision to enter into negotiations with the Members of the European Economic Community with a view to joining the Community if...’
155. AIDE MEMOIRE TO THE SIX: 4 September 1961; ‘Canberra, 4 September 1961 The decision of the United Kingdom Government to embark on negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community is of the greatest consequence not only to the United Kingdom and Western Europe but to countries outside Europe and not least to Australia. For Australia, it is...’
156. CABLEGRAM, MENZIES TO HARRISON: 6 October 1961; ‘Canberra, 6 October 1961 3191. Secret The immediately following cable contains a message for Harold Macmillan on the Common Market question. 2. The immediate need for a message arises from the fact of the meeting between the United Kingdom and the Governments of the Six in Paris next week. In...’
157. CABLEGRAM, MENZIES TO MACMILLAN: 6 October 1961; ‘Canberra, 6 October 1961 3192. SECRET We have received preliminary ad vices from our delegation which has been working in a friendly atmosphere with your officials in London in analysing the nature of our trade interests which could be affected by United Kingdom entry into the Common Market, and in...’
158. MESSAGE, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 10 October 1961; ‘London, 10 October 1961 Secret Thank you for your message of October 6 about the Common Market negotiations.1 Like you I am glad that the recent consultations between our officials are friendly and constructive. As regards Ted Heath’s statement on October lOth I can assure you that it will not...’
159. MINUTE, SALTER TO MENZIES: 24 October 1961; ‘Canberra, 24 October 1961 Seceet Common Market This note attempts a brief stock–taking of progress in the Common Market exercise. [ … ] Our Objectives In the trade field we refer to our objective as ‘to preserve Australia’s trade interests’. These are ambiguous terms. At some stage we will need...’
160. LETTER, COSTAR TO BOTTOMLEY: 10 January 1962; ‘Canberra, 10 January 1962 Secret Thank you very much for your letter of 2nd January and for the very useful information which you gave us about the American attitude to the Common Market negotiations. 2. In your last paragraph you ask for an assessment of the likely effect of the...’
161. LETTER, MENZIES TO MACMILLAN: 15 January 1962; ‘Canberra, 15 January 1962 Personal For Himself I was very disturbed to learn that Grantley Adams is proposing that the next Prime Minister’s Conference, whenever it occurs, should discuss the movement of population between Commonwealth countries. Such a discussion would inevitably involve a consideration of Australia’s immigration policy just as...’
162. LETTER, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 6 February 1962; ‘London, 6 February 1962 Secret And Personal I have thought a great deal about your personal letter of January 15,1 and I have read it many times over. You will now have got my reply dated January 23 dealing with the point about immigration policy, and I think that we...’
163. AIDE MEMOIRE, AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO THE SIX: 1 January 1962; ‘Canberra, January 1962 […] The Australian Government has no wish or desire to intrude upon those negotiations or discussions between the United Kingdom and the EEC Governments which relate to matters which are not Australia’s business, and does not assert a claim to be a principal in those negotiations. On...’
164. SPEAKING NOTES FOR HEATH IN BRUSSELS: 22 February 1962; ‘London, 22 February 1962 Confidential Australian Participation Sir P. Dixon1 raised at a restricted session of Deputies on 31st January the question of the Australian Government’s hope that it would be possible for them to send representatives in the role of experts and consultants when particular matters of social interest...’
165. TELEGRAM, HEATH TO FOREIGN OFFICE: 23 February 1962; ‘Brussels, 23 February 1962 55. Confidential We discussed Australian participation in restricted session yesterday evening. 2. I spoke on lines of Notes agreed in London.1 Chairman2 explained that Six had not reached an agreed opinion and all delegates expressed views. 3. All speakers expressed apprehension about precedent that might be...’
166. MEMORANDUM,HARRY TO TANGE: 1 March 1962; ‘Canberra, 1 March 1962 Secret British-European Economic Community Negotiations Australian Participation Following is a note for information setting out the position on our request to participate in the British/European Economic Community negotiations. Towards the end of last year Britain agreed to support our request for direct participation. It was also...’
167. LETTER, WESTERMAN TO LINTOTT: 13 March 1962; ‘Australian Embassy, Brussels, 13 March 1962 Confidential I am sending to you with this letter a copy of a message from Mr Menzies to Mr Macmillan1 which has just been delivered in London, and also a copy of an aide–memoire which has been presented in similar terms today to each...’
168. MESSAGE, MENZIES TO MACMILLAN: 13 March 1962; ‘London, 13 March 1962 Confidential I find that I must again raise with you the question of our participation in the Common Market negotiations. McEwen is at present in the United States. He, and I, and all of us are very exercised about this matter. We have, within the last...’
169. MESSAGE, HEATH TO MACMILLAN: 19 March 1962; ‘London, 19 March 1962 Secret Mr McEwen’s Visit […] 3. The Australian request for participation first appeared in the communique following a discussion between the Commonwealth Secretary and members of the Australian Government in Canberra last year.1 Since then we have gone along with this in Brussels emphasising only that...’
170. CABLEGRAM, BEALE TO MENZIES, MCEWEN AND BARWICK: 1 March 1962; ‘Washington, 1 March 1962 470. Secret Preoccupied with so many complicated international problems requiring urgent and short range policy decisions, it is not easy for the leaders of this Administration to find time to engage in much long range thinking and planning on international economic-political matters. I have been trying...’
171. CABLEGRAM, MCEWEN TO MENZIES: 16 March 1962; ‘Washington, 16 March 1962 83. Secret During our talks on preferences the Americans showed extreme good will, understanding and willingness to hear our side. I thought before discussions commenced, ‘though not represented as a negotiation, we could hope to get them to acknowledge and agree on certain positions. I mentioned...’
172. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN MCEWEN AND HEATH: 21 March 1962; ‘London, 21 March 1962 Confidential Mr McEwen said that the Australian Government had always wished to be co-operative over the British negotiations with the European Economic Community. As they had made clear, even from before the British decision to seek membership, they saw real advantages in Britain having a closer...’
173. LETTER, MCEWEN TO HEATH: 23 March 1962; ‘Australia House, London, 23 March 1962 You will recall that in our discussions on Wednesday I stressed my concern about some aspects of the draft paper on cereals which has been referred to the Australian Government for comment.1 While I value the expressed recognition in the paper of the special...’
174. LETTER, HEATH TO MCEWEN: 6 April 1962; ‘London, 6 April 1962 I was glad of the opportunity of a talk with you before you left for the Continent.1 I look forward to fuller discussions with you on your return in the middle of April. In the meantime I will be turning over in my mind what you...’
175. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN MCEWEN, WESTERMAN, HEATH, SANDYS AND SOAMES: 13 April 1962; ‘London, 13 April 1962 Confidential Britain, Australia and the European Economic Community Possible Future of Commonwealth Preferences The meeting began with a discussion of the possible future for Commonwealth preferences. Mr McEwen and Dr Westerman explained that what they were hoping for was a preferential reduction of the external tariff...’
176. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN MCEWEN, WESTERMAN, SANDYS, BUTLER, HEATH AND SOAMES: 18 April 1962; ‘London, 18 April 1962 Confidential Britain, Australia and the European Economic Community Mr Sandys opened the discussion by saying that it was clear that the problems involved by Australia’s wheat trade would not be solved during the present talks. However, they had been a most valuable analysis of the position...’
177. STATEMENT BY WESTERMAN AT UK-EEC NEGOTIATIONS: 26 April 1962; ‘Brussels, 26 April 1962 Statement on Behalf of Australia to the Committee of Deputies of the United Kingdom/EEC Conference1 Introduction First of all, I wish to express to you and your Ministers the Australian Government’s appreciation of your invitation to address you. This enables us to supplement what our British...’
178. PRESS STATEMENT BY MCEWEN: 26 April 1962; ‘Canberra, 26 April 1962 Britain and the Common Market Mr McEwen said today that the intensive discussions on which he had been engaged abroad had fully confirmed his earlier judgment that many Australian export industries could be faced with immense problems if Britain joined the European Common Market without special...’
179. TELEGRAM, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 31 March 1962; ‘London, 31 March 1962 497. Secret We shall all have some grave issues to face during the coming year and it would be very precious to me ifthere were any chance of having some intimate talk with you before too long. There is first the problem of our relations with...’
180. LETTER, MENZIES TO MACMILLAN: 18 April 1962; ‘Canberra, 18 April 1962 Personal And Secret I am much overdue in my answers to your most interesting letter of February 8th [sic],1 and some aspects of your subsequent cabled messages. Your offer to come to Australia for a hurried visit after you have been to Canada is extremely generous.2...’
181. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN MACMILLAN AND DE GAULLE: 3 June 1962; ‘Chateau de Champs, 3 June 1962 Secret President de Gaulle said that the Prime Minister and he had had a good talk. Clearly there had been an evolution in British thought in favour of Europe. This was true particularly of the Prime Minister but also he felt of England as...’
182. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN MENZIES, MACMILLAN, HEATH AND HOME: 5 June 1962; ‘London, 5 June 1962 Secret [ matter omitted ] 6. Common Market MR MENZIES said that Britain’s entry into the Common Market would present serious difficulties for other Commonwealth countries. It was all the more important that, in the coming months before the Meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in September,...’
183. MESSAGE, HEATH TO MACMILLAN: 8 June 1962; ‘London, 8 June 1962 Confidential Commonwealth Temperate Foodstuffs The most important single item of the Common Market negotiations is an arrangement giving the Commonwealth an assurance of continuing ‘comparable’ outlets for temperate foodstuffs. After consultation with Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we submitted to the Six a draft formula setting...’
184. TELEGRAM, DIXON TO FOREIGN OFFICE: 14 June 1962; ‘Brussels, 14 June 1962 134. Secret I understand that it has been suggested by the Australian Government that Australian experts could usefully attend meetings of Working Parties when matters of particular interest to Australia are under discussion, and that you may be intending to instruct me to raise this possibility...’
185. SPEECH BY MENZIES AT AUSTRALIA CLUB DINNER: 12 June 1962; ‘Savoy Hotel, London, 12 June 1962 [ matter omitted ] I have here my old friend the Prime Minister of Great Britain who has spoken so generously tonight. Harold Macmillan and I have known each other for many years and, through many escapades, we have been and remain great friends....’
186. CABLEGRAM, MENZIES TO MCEWEN: 19 June 1962; ‘Australian Embassy, Washington, 19 June 1962 1614. Confidential I have had some very good talks here—in particular I had a long and, I think, encouraging discussion with the President and Ball. 2. The line I have been going on is that if Great Britain is, as a result of pressure...’
187. COMMUNIQUE, MENZIES AND KENNEDY: 20 June 1962; ‘The White House, Washington, 20 June 1962 The White House today made public the following Joint Communique after meetings between the President and the Right Honorable Robert Gordon Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia. The President and the Prime Minister expressed gratification at the opportunity presented by the Prime Minister’s visit...’
188. CABINET MINUTE, DECISION NO. 275: 25 June 1962; ‘Canberra, 25 June 1962 Confidential The Prime Minister reported to the Cabinet on his discussions in London and Washington on the Common Market. 2. He referred to the effective impact of the visit of the Minister for Trade, and of the statement at Brussels of the Secretary of the Department...’
189. LETTER, BUNTING TO TANGE: 2 July 1962; ‘Canberra, 2 July 1962 Personal I am attaching with this letter a copy of the Cabinet minute which records the Prime Minister’s observations to his colleagues about his Common Market discussions during the recent visit to London and Washington.1 One matter which arose in the course of the Cabinet meeting...’
190. LETTER, MENZIES TO MACMILLAN: 11 July 1962; ‘Canberra, 11 July 1962 Personal After I got back home I was so quickly and completely immersed in the domestic political tasks that I have not until now got around to writing you about my American visit. It was on the whole satisfactory from both your viewpoint and mine. The...’
191. LETTER, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 20 July 1962; ‘London, 20 July 1962 Personal Thank you so much for your letter of July 11 and for the very interesting and useful account of your talks in Washington.1 I am glad that you found the Americans in a helpful mood. I am quite sure that your visit will have been...’
192. NOTE BY HEATH TO COMMON MARKET NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE: 20 July 1962; ‘London, 20 July 1962 Secret Commonwealth Temperate Foodstuffs The treatment of temperate foodstuffs from the Commonwealth—particularly Canada, Australia and New Zealand—will be the most difficult—and in some ways the most important—issue to be tackled at the Ministerial meeting in Brussels which starts on 24th July. This note deals with the...’
193. MINUTES, COMMON MARKET NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING: 23 July 1962; ‘London, 23 July 1962 Confidential [ matter omitted ] 2. Commonwealth Temperate Foodstuffs The Committee had before them a note by the Lord Privy Seal (CMN (62) 44) on Commonwealth temperate foodstuffs.2 THE LORD PRIVY SEAL said that it had become clear in the negotiations that the Six were not...’
194. MESSAGE, SANDYS TO MENZIES: 24 July 1962; ‘London, 24 July 1962 Confidential As Mr. Macmillan told you on 9th June before you left London, despite further forceful and repeated efforts in Brussels, including meetings of both Deputies and Ministers, as well as by personal conversations in capitals, we have not been able to persuade the Six to...’
195. MESSAGE, MENZIES TO SANDYS: 28 July 1962; ‘Canberra, 28 July 1962 Confidential It is apparent from your messages of the 23rd and 24th July, that you expect the negotiations with the Six to move pretty quickly now.1 We have noted your assessment of the prospects and possibilities. I do not wish to discuss that assessment in detail...’
196. NOTES ON WESTERMAN DISCUSSIONS IN WASHINGTON: 25 July 1962; ‘Washington, 23-25 July 1962 Secret The discussions revealed that the Americans have adopted positions of significance to us in two major respects: (a) They have specifically recognised that they stand to derive advantages, not compensated by balancing concessions on their part, from such elimination of preferences in the United Kingdom...’
197. VERBATIM REPORT, WESTERMAN TO INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON COMMON MARKET: 30 July 1962; ‘Canberra, 30 July 1962 Secret Washington Talks of 23–25 July 1962 Dr Westerman: I thought I should, even in a very sketchy way, put you in the picture; and get any observations that you may feel it necessary to make before I go back. Very briefly, the state of play...’
198. PRESS STATEMENT BY MCEWEN: 26 July 1962; ‘Canberra, 26 July 1962 Common Market Effects on Rural Industries Mr McEwen today commented on a speech made by the Minister assisting the Treasurer, Mr Bury, when addressing the Australian Institute of Management. Mr McEwen said that he, for a year, had been referring to the possible adverse consequences for...’
199. LETTER, MENZIES TO BURY: 27 July 1962; ‘Canberra, 27 July 1962 I refer to our conversation this afternoon about your stated and published views on the Common Market negotiations. You confirmed to me that you had stated your views, not only in Canberra on Wednesday night but in Melbourne on Thursday, and that when asked last evening...’
200. TELEGRAM, OLIVER TO COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE: 26 July 1962; ‘UK High Commission, Canberra, 26 July 1962 608. Confidential Common Market Striking difference in tone and content between these speeches1 may at first sight seem to reflect only the known and natural difference of approach to Common Market problems of the Liberal and Country Party elements in Government Coalition though...’
201. CABLEGRAM, WESTERMAN TO WARWICK SMITH: 3 August 1962; ‘Australian High Commission, Ottawa, 3 August 1962 241. Secret Australian Attitude to Negotiations Between Britain and the EEC 1. The Trend of Developments in the Negotiations As we see the course of the negotiations it seems likely in the absence of new developments and new attitudes, that the terms and...’
202. MEMORANDUM, HEATH TO COMMON MARKET NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE: 17 August 1962; ‘London, 17 August 1962 Secret Britain, the Common Market and the European Economic Community Introduction The Ministerial meeting in Brussels from 1st–5th August can be regarded as marking the close of the first phase of the negotiations for our entry into the European Economic Community. The second phase will begin...’
203. DESPATCH, OLIVER TO GARNER: 24 August 1962; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 24 August 1962 Confidential Mr Menzies dined privately with me on Monday evening and was in an expansive mood. I can now with confidence give some indications of his thinking on the present state of our Common Market negotiations, […] and of the line he seems...’
204. DIARY ENTRY BY HOLT: 2 September 1962; ‘Melbourne, 2 September 1962 Off to Market—1962 This journey to London promises to be one of the most exciting, stimulating and interesting of the series. The Common Market talks will dominate the Prime Ministers’ Conference, and in a very real sense we shall be standing at a cross road of...’
205. MEMORANDUM, SANDYS TO THE MINISTERIAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR THE 1962 COMMONWEALTH PRIME MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE: 4 September 1962; ‘London, 4 September 1962 Secret The Commonwealth and the Common Market [ matter omitted ] IV. Conference Tactics 33. While we can, therefore, reasonably claim to have honoured our promise to safeguard the vital trading interests of the New Commonwealth members and of the dependent territories, the same cannot as...’
206. MEMORANDUM, MACMILLAN TO THE MINISTERIAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR THE 1962 COMMONWEALTH PRIME MINISTERS' CONFERENCE: 4 September 1962; ‘London, 4 September 1962 Secret Commonwealth Conference The Commonwealth Secretary showed me an advance copy of his paper ‘Commonwealth and the Common Market’ which has been circulated to the Ministerial Committee. 1 I agree with his broad assessment of what has been achieved. The new Commonwealth countries are pretty well...’
207. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN MACMILLAN, SANDYS, HEATH, MENZIES, MCEWEN AND HOLT: 7 September 1962; ‘London, 7 September 1962 Common Market Negotiations Welcoming the Australian Ministers, MR MACMILLAN said that he hoped they could review generally the position that had so far emerged in the Brussels negotiations and discuss frankly the situation as seen by Australian and British Ministers. Temperate Agricultural Products MR HEATH summarised...’
208. MINUTES, MEETING OF COMMONWEALTH PRIME MINISTERS: 11 September 1962; ‘Marlborough House London, 11 September 1962 [ matter omitted ] MR MENZIES said that Mr Macmillan had given the Meeting a distinguished statement of the high political and historical reasons which had led Britain to apply for membership of the European Communities. Mr Heath had explained vividly and in great...’
209. MINUTE, MACMILLAN TO BUTLER: 20 September 1962; ‘London, 20 September 1962 Top Secret Mr Menzies called on me at 6.30 p.m. today to say goodbye. He could only stay for a short time. He explained his conduct at the Conference by the weakness of his political position. Mr McEwen was at him all the time to take...’
210. CABINET MINUTE, DECISION NO. 476: 2 October 1962; ‘Canberra, 2 October 1962 Confidential European Common Market: Meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers The Prime Minister reported to the Cabinet on the meeting of Prime Ministers held in London between 10th and 19th September, the results of the conference are, in broad, indicated by the terms of the communiqué; 1...’
211. SPEECH, MENZIES TO FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE LIBERAL PARTY: 13 November 1962; ‘Canberra, 13 November 1962 Now, Sir, the next matter that I thought I might say a word to you about is, and I suppose it can’t be avoided, the Common Market. I am not going to endeavour to say anything very fresh on this matter because there is nothing very...’
212. DESPATCH, OLIVER TO SANDYS: 28 November 1962; ‘UK High Commission, Canberra, 28 November 1962 Confidential Australia: House of Representatives Debate on the Common Market [ matter omitted ] I have the honour to report that the debate on the Common Market which followed Mr Menzies’ report to the House of Representatives on the Prime Ministers’ Conference revealed...’
213. MESSAGE, MACMILLAN TO MENZIES: 1 February 1963; ‘London, 1 February 1963 Confidential [ … ] We must clearly keep in as close personal touch as we can in the difficult situation brought about by the French. It is still too early to judge how things are going to develop. The other members of the EEC are certainly...’
214. CABINET MINUTE, DECISION NO. 638: 5 February 1963; ‘Canberra, 5 February 1963 Confidential Without Memorandum—European Common Market The Cabinet discussed the implications of the collapse of Britain’s application to join the European Common Market. 2. The Prime Minister read to the Cabinet a personal letter from Mr Macmillan on the subject.1 3. On the particular issue of an...’
215. LETTER, RANDALL TO WHITELAW: 8 February 1963; ‘Canberra, 8 February 1963 Personal And Confidential Your account of the talk you had with Arnold France1 on the morrow of the Brussels breakdown was altogether fascinating. 2 Arnold is such an out and out zealot for British entry that the rebuff must have taxed even the iron self-control he...’
216. COMMENTARY BY UK DELEGATION LN BRUSSELS ON THE NARRATIVE REPORT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS: 8 March 1963; ‘Brussels, 8 March 1963 Secret [ matter omitted ] Her Majesty s Governments Commitments 16. The Motion adopted by the House of Commons on August 3, 1961, had supported ‘the decision of her Majesty’s Government to make formal application under Article 237 of the Treaty of Rome in order to...’
217. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN HARRY AND CAMPBELL: 8 June 1966; ‘Brussels, 8 June 1966 Secret British Entry into the EEC Mr Campbell said he had discussed with Mr McEwen whether it would be necessary for me to go to London during the Minister’s visit. Mr McEwen was however limiting his engagements owing to the state of his health and had...’
218. BRIEF BY COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE ON HOLT VISIT TO LONDON: 1 July 1966; ‘London, 1 July 1966 Confidential Visit by the Australian Prime Minister to London Britain and the EEC: Talking Points The question of British membership of the European Economic Community was covered very fully during the recent Trade Ministers’ Meeting, on 13–16 June. As the President of the Board of Trade1...’
219. CABLEGRAM, HOLT TO MCEWEN: 12 July 1966; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 12 July 1966 6856. Secret Following my return from Chequers, I called on Wilson again at midday today accompanied by High Commissioner, Bunting and McIntyre. 1 He had with him Bottomley, George Thomson, Lord Shackleton2 and Charles Johnston, Burke Trend3 and other officials. [ matter omitted...’
220. MEMORANDUM, LLOYD TO ACTING SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: 28 November 1966; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 28 November 1966 Confidential Renewed Applications to the EEC Background A continuing acceleration to the momentum of Britain’s tentative moves towards a renewal of their application to join the EEC has been imparted over the last month. (There seems no need for a separate application to...’
221. MEMORANDUM, CRITCHLEY TO EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: 22 December 1966; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 22 December 1966 Confidential Britain and the European Common Market Yesterday (December 21st) Britain made the most positive statement it has yet made on joining the Common Market. Mr Thompson, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, representing the British Government at the Ministerial Council of the...’
222. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN DOWNER AND CALLAGHAN: 16 January 1967; ‘London, 16 January 1967 I called on the Chancellor to say au revoir before leaving for Australia, and we talked for 1 hour. He received me with the greatest friendliness. For a good deal of the time we talked entirely alone, he preferring to discuss matters which he thought it...’
223. RECORD OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN BOWDEN AND AUSTRALIAN CABINET: 22 February 1967; ‘Canberra, 22 February 1967 Secret Mr Holt welcomed Mr Bowden and expressed appreciation of his undertaking the long journey to Australia for his visit. His action in doing so confirmed the close understanding which existed between the two countries. [ matter omitted ] European Economic Community The COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said...’
224. TELEGRAM, HOLT TO BOWDEN: 3 March 1967; ‘Canberra, 3 March 1967 176. Unclassified Thank you for your pleasant message which I have welcomed. My colleagues and I very much appreciated your frank and informative contribution to our Cabinet Room discussion. 1 It is good to know you took away a good impression of Australian development and optimism...’
225. SAVINGRAM, HARRY TO EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: 10 February 1967; ‘Australian Embassy, Brussels, 10 February 1967 Saving No. 3. Secret Britain and the EEC—Australian Interests and Policy The joint statement by the Prime Minister of New Zealand on 3rd February that ‘British entry into the Common Market would produce problems for both countries’ was reported by the Brussels press as...’
226. LETTER, SHANN TO HARRY: 23 March 1967; ‘Canberra, 23 March 1967 I am sorry to have taken such an unconscionable time to reply to your letter of 22nd February. But we were waiting to see what the reactions of other Departments were to your Savingram No. 3 of 22nd [sic]1 February, which might have had a bearing...’
227. CABLEGRAM, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS TO HARRY: 29 March 1967; ‘Canberra, 29 March 1967 93. Secret Britain and the EEC As you will appreciate from the length of time taken to reply, departments have given careful consideration to your Savingram 3, some aspects of which have given them concern. 1 Departments are aware that the ‘Wilson round’ has aroused great...’
228. MEMORANDUM, CRITCHLEY TO WALLER: 4 May 1967; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 4 May 1967 Confidential Britain and the EEC The British Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament on 2nd May that the Government had decided to make an application under Article 237 of the Treaty of Rome for membership of the European Economic Community […] contained little element...’
229. PRESS STATEMENT BY MCEWEN: 7 May 1967; ‘London, 7 May 1967 British Proposal to Apply for Membership of the Common Market Commenting on Mr Wilson’s announcement that Britain proposed to lodge an application for membership of the European Common Market, Mr McEwen, the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Trade and Industry, said today: ‘I...’
230. SNELLING TO GARNER: 5 June 1967; ‘London, 5 June 1967 Australia and the EEC I am up against two points of difficulty with other Government Departments over the line we are to take with the Australians in our round of official talks which start tomorrow and the Ministerial talks with Mr Holt next week. I have...’
231. DESPATCH, JOHNSTON TO BOWDEN: 7 June 1967; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 7 June 1967 Confidential Australia: Probable Effects on Anglo-Australian Trade and Economic Relations of British Entry into the European Economic Community Summary Public statements by Australian Ministers and Press reaction to Britain’s application are calmer and quieter than in 1961. Public opinion is comforted by the...’
232. CABLEGRAM, MCEWEN TO HOLT: 8 June 1967; ‘Canberra, 8 June 1967 514. Secret Britain and the Common Market I understand the material provided by Departments to Bunting gives a pretty comprehensive coverage of the facts and trade implications of Britain’s bid to enter the Common Market. Allan Fleming, Special Commercial Adviser in London is even more fully...’
233. CABLEGRAM, FLEMING TO EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: 9 June 1967; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 9 June 1967 7262. Confidential UK-EEC Consultations 1. We met morning and afternoon today Thursday 8th June. […] 2. Main points of the meeting were the repeated attempts to lead us into discussion of the relative importance of trade items and our ideas on safeguards, renewed...’
234. BRIEF BY COMMONWEALTH OFFICE FOR HOLT VISIT: 12 June 1967; ‘London, 12 June 1967 Confidential Visit of the Australian Prime Minister to London, June 1967 Mr Holt is not coming to London primarily to discuss EEC questions; he is likely to be more interested in defence and finance than in the Common Market. The Permanent Secretary of the Australian Prime...’
235. RECORD OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN HOLT AND WILSON: 15 June 1967; ‘London, 15 June 1967 Confidential Common Market Mr Holt said that he would like to spend a few minutes at the outset in relation to Britain’s entry into the EEC. He had a provisional arrangement to meet Mr Jay but a few minutes with the Prime Minister would make it...’
236. TELEGRAM, CANBERRA TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 26 June 1967; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 26 June 1967 984. Confidential Australia and the EEC Westerman had lunch with Minister (Commercial) today. Rooke queried reason for instructions given to Australian Delegation not to discuss question of essentiality of any of Australia’s exports to Britain. Westerman replied that it could be politically embarrassing...’
237. MINUTE, AUDLAND TO SNELLING: 9 October 1967; ‘London, 9 October 1967 Anglo-Australian Trade Talks I submit a note reporting on the first stage of the talks with an Australian delegation led by Sir A. Westerman. From this Department’s point of view, the most important point was the Australians’ wilful refusal to recognise that we are not seeking...’
238. MINUTE, SNELLING TO GARNER: 10 October 1967; ‘London, 10 October 1967 I am very dubious about the line proposed in Mr Audland’s minute of 9 October about the Anglo-Australian trade talks.1 I have discussed the matter with Mr Hughes2 who says he thinks Sir Richard Powell will be content to be guided by us. The matter in...’
239. MINUTE, AUDLAND TO GALLAGHER: 12 October 1967; ‘London, 12 October 1967 Confidential Anglo-Australian Trade Talks I would like to offer the following comments on the draft minute to the Secretary of State circulated under cover of Sir A. Snelling’s minute of 10 October. 1 2. I believe that (a) seriously understates the case in favour of some...’
240. SUBMISSION NO. 467, MCEWEN TO CABINET: 12 October 1967; ‘Canberra, 12 October 1967 Confidential United Kingdom/Australia Trade Discussions […] 2. Ministers will recall that in my discussions earlier this year with Mr Jay, then President of the Board of Trade, it was agreed that officials should meet as soon as possible after the conclusion of the Kennedy Round to...’
241. SPEECH BY DOWNER AT ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY LUNCHEON: 11 October 1967; ‘Bath, 11 October 1967 It is my lot to take the Chair on this 229th birthday of Admiral Phillip, and I do so with a mixture of pleasure and trepidation in this illustrious city of Bath. [ matter omitted ] Hitherto, Britain and Australia have trod much the same paths....’
242. LETTER, HALL TO SHEARS: 8 November 1967; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 8 November 1967 Restricted Press and other reaction in both Britain and Australia to Sir Alexander Downer’s ‘mini-campaign’ against British plans for EEC membership has been interesting and we thought you might like some assessment of it. 2. It seems to us that Sir A. Downer’s...’
243. LETTER, JOHNSTON TO SNELLING: 20 October 1967; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 20 October 1967 Confidential Since the party of Australian officials, who were in London recently for the trade talks,1 returned to Canberra we have sensed that they were rather disenchanted with their experiences in London. Alan Westerman is not back yet, but we have heard indirectly...’
244. LETTER, SNELLING TO JOHNSTON: 16 November 1967; ‘London, 16 November 1967 Confidential Thank you for your most interesting letter of 20 October about Australian reactions to the recent talks with Alan Westerman and other Australian officials, with particular reference to EEC questions. 1 2. The extract from the Australian Financial Review which you enclosed does not specify...’
245. MESSAGE, WILSON TO HOLT: 18 November 1967; ‘London, 18 November 1967 This is a very secret message for your own eyes alone. But I wanted to let you know personally at the earliest opportunity that the Government have decided to devalue the pound this week and that this decision will be announced at 21.30 GMT on Saturday...’
246. SUBMISSION NO. 548, MCMAHON TO CABINET: 20 November 1967; ‘Canberra, 20 November 1967 Secret Sterling Devaluation: Policy Implications for Australia On Sunday morning the United Kingdom Government announced that the £ sterling had been devalued from $US2.80 to $US2.40, a devaluation of 14.3 per cent. 2. Associated measures announced were:– an increase of 1.5 per cent to 8 per...’
247. CABINET MINUTE, DECISION NO. 722: 20 November 1967; ‘Canberra, 20 November 1967 Secret Sterling Devaluation The Cabinet considered the situation created by the British Government’s announcement over the weekend of the devaluation of the Pound Sterling by 14.3% […] 2. The Cabinet decided after consideration of the balance of advantage, that no change would be made in the...’
248. CABLEGRAM, HOLT TO MCEWEN: 21 November 1967; ‘Canberra, 21 November 1967 1786. Secret I called a special meeting of Cabinet in Canberra today to consider the situation created by the British devaluation. I had had a message from Wilson only on Saturday afternoon informing us of their decision and the circumstances which led them to it. 2....’
249. MINUTE, BUNTING TO HOLT: 27 November 1967; ‘Canberra, 27 November 1967 Personal And Private Mr Anthony dropped in to see me this afternoon for a talk about the devaluation decision. 2. He said that he had great worries on his mind and wanted to start disclosing them, and in fact exposing them to scrutiny. He thought he...’
250. LETTER, DOWNER TO HOLT: 28 November 1967; ‘London, 28 November 1967 Now that the dust has started to settle following the Devaluation decision perhaps you would like me to give you a few reactions to it. The Government has received as bad a press as can possibly be imagined. Even those newspapers, such as The Times, which...’
251. PRESS STATEMENT BY MCEWEN: 11 December 1967; ‘Canberra, 11 December 1967 Statement on Devaluation The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Mr J McEwen said today that the cabinet’s decision not to move with the pound sterling was one of deepest importance to the Australian community. It had far-reaching implications of greatest significance for...’
252. PRESS STATEMENT BY HOLT: 12 December 1967; ‘Canberra, 12 December 1967 Devaluation: Reaffirmation of Government’s Decision Since the Commonwealth Government decided on 20th November to maintain the value of the Australian dollar when Britain devalued the Pound Sterling, the effect on Australian Industries and the economic outlook in general have been under continuous study. Nothing has emerged...’
253. LETTER, JOHNSTON TO THOMSON: 1 December 1967; ‘Canberra, 1 December 1967 Confidential Effect of the British Devaluation on the Australian Economy Although the British decision to devalue the pound sterling may not have taken entirely by surprise those Australian officials most directly concerned with the issue, the timing of the announcement of Saturday, the 18th November, cannot...’
254. LETTER, JOHNSTON TO SNELLING: 22 February 1968; ‘Canberra, 22 February 1968 Confidential I have reminded you ad nauseam of the Australians’ anxiety about the future of British investment in Australia. They are now worried not only that the voluntary programme may be continued but also that restraints may be imposed on portfolio investment here. 2. Whatever may...’
255. LETTER, LEVER TO JENKINS: 27 February 1968; ‘London, 27 February 1968 Secret I should like to report the great anxiety I have been feeling since devaluation at the outflow of currency for portfolio investment in the overseas sterling area, and in particular in Australia. According to figures in the attached article in the last issue of the...’
256. MINUTE, GOLDMAN TO HAY: 16 May 1968; ‘London, 16 May 1968 Secret Australia: Portfolio Outflow from the UK and Diversification Mr. Ryrie’s minute below1 reports the outcome of the examination of the proposal made at the Financial Secretary’s meeting last week that we should ask the Australians to hold more sterling linked to the scale of the...’
257. CABLEGRAM, DOWNER TO MCMAHON: 30 May 1968; ‘London, 30 May 1968 9000. Secret This morning I had a talk with Harold Lever, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury at his request. I took Fleming with me. Lever is a rich man, seemingly Old Commonwealth-minded, and possesses a remarkable lucidity. He put forward a proposal for a way...’
258. MINUTE BY HUBBACK: 5 July 1968; ‘London, 5 July 1968 Secret Australia and UK Portfolio Investment The attached envelope has just been handed me by Mr Fleming of Australia House. It contains Mr McMahon’s reply1 to the Financial Secretary’s request that the Australian Government should make a statement that, in the period ahead, any abnormal outflow...’
259. LETTER, MCMAHON TO JENKINS: 5 July 1968; ‘Canberra, 5 July 1968 Secret I was glad to receive your message of 14th June informing me of the discussion which had been taking place at meetings of Central Bank Governors in Basle about a new facility for sterling.1 We heard a little about these discussions from other sources and...’
260. CABLEGRAM, DOWNER TO MCMAHON: 20 July 1971; ‘London, 20 July 1971 13615. Secret According to this morning’s Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Financial Times, Daily Mail, and Daily Mirror, Roy Jenkins at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party in the House of Commons yesterday, made a trenchant attack on the Australian Government at a time when you...’
261. CABLEGRAM, BUNTING TO DOWNER: 22 July 1971; ‘Canberra, 22 July 1971 9585. Confidential Reference your 13615 to the Prime Minister. 1 I send for your information the text of a statement issued evening of 21 July by the Treasurer 2 in relation to the Jenkins statement. Quote… ‘Australia has been subject to criticism by Rt Hon Roy...’
262. SUBMISSION NO. 258, MCEWEN TO CABINET: May 1970; ‘Canberra, May 1970 Confidential United Kingdom Entry into the European Economic Community The purpose of this Submission is to inform Ministers of the present situation of the negotiations for entry of the United Kingdom and other applicant countries, (Denmark, Norway and Ireland) into the European Economic Community and to consider...’
263. MEMORANDUM, DAVIS TO WALLER: 11 June 1970; ‘Brussels, 11 June 1970 Restricted European Economic Communities The commencement of the negotiations for the enlargement of the Communities being imminent, it may be useful to set out some of the considerations as seen from Brussels which we may need to keep in mind in assessing Australia’s position in relation...’
264. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN MCEWEN, BARBER AND O’NEILL: 8 July 1970; ‘London, 8 July 1970 Confidential After welcoming Mr McEwen and his party Mr Barber recalled the formal opening of our negotiations on 30 June. There would be a further ministerial meeting between Britain and the Communities on 21 July. We were not proposing at this meeting to put forward either...’
265. PRESS STATEMENT BY MCEWEN: 16 July 1970; ‘Brussels, 16 July 1970 I have now had the benefit of discussions with various members of the Commission. In these discussions I have made clear the grave consequences to Australia and other third countries which are important exporters of agricultural products, if the existing policies and levels of protection given...’
266. LETTER, MCEWEN TO BARBER: 17 July 1970; ‘Canberra, 17 July 1970 Confidential When I spoke to you in London about Britain’s negotiations with the Community,1 you told me that the detailed case which Britain would be putting forward had yet to be formulated. Accordingly, rather than making any detailed proposals on the solutions, I confined myself to...’
267. LETTER, RIPPON TO MCEWEN: 12 August 1970; ‘London, 12 August 1970 Restricted I have read with great interest your letter of 17 July to Anthony Barber. 1 […] I look forward to discussing all this with you when I visit Australia next month. You ask what we propose to say to the EEC in respect of Australia’s...’
268. MINUTE, STATHAM TO TICKELL: 9 September 1970; ‘London, 9 September 1970 Confidential Visit to Australia of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Rippon is to visit Australia from 15 to 17 September in connection with his visit to Hong Kong and New Zealand on EEC matters. I submit a brief for the visit which has...’
269. SPEECH BY RIPPON TO NATIONAL PRESS CLUB: 10 September 1970; ‘Canberra, 10 September 1970 I am very honoured to be here today. I am very glad to have the opportunity of explaining to this audience why Britain wants to join the European Communities if fair terms can be obtained, and why in the long term we believe that this is...’
270. RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN MCEWEN, ANTHONY, WESTERMAN AND RIPPON: 15 September 1970; ‘Canberra, 15 September 1970 Confidential Mr Rippon began by expressing appreciation of the Australian Government’s understanding attitude. He then referred to the change in the pattern of Australian–British trade relations since the time when Britain supplied Australia with manufactures in return for foodstuffs and raw materials. He could understand Australia’s...’
271. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN RIPPON AND WHITLAM: 15 September 1970; ‘Canberra, 15 September 1970 Confidential Mr Whitlam said he had been very discreet at lunch earlier that day when Mr McEwen had forecast doom and disaster for the Australian agricultural industry if permanent special arrangements were not made for it. It was natural for the Country Party to make the...’
272. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN RIPPON AND ANTHONY: 16 September 1970; ‘Canberra, 16 September 1970 Confidential Mr Anthony said he was surprised that GATT had not been discussed at Mr Rippon’s meeting with Mr McEwen yesterday. However, this was not his problem and he would not pursue it now. As Mr Rippon well knew, the main problem for Australia created by...’
273. TELEGRAM, JOHNSTON TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 17 September 1970; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 17 September 1970 1043. Confidential Visit of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Rippon visited Australia 15–17 September. Apart from a dinner given by the Department of Trade and Industry for him to meet representatives of agriculture, industry and finance in Sydney, the whole...’
274. MEMORANDUM BY AIERS: 2 October 1970; ‘London, 2 October 1970 Confidential Mr Tickell told me yesterday that both the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and he were surprised that neither before the Chancellor’s visit to Australia and New Zealand nor after his return had anyone from the Australian High Commission shown any signs of life...’
275. CABLEGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE TO RENOUF: 26 January 1971; ‘Canberra, 26 January 1971 401. Confidential Discussions were held in Canberra on 22nd January 1971, between a delegation led by Mr J De Lipkowski, French Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Hon Ian Sinclair MP, supported by representatives from the departments of trade, primary industry, treasury, external territories,...’
276. CABLEGRAM, RENOUF TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 29 January 1971; ‘Australian Embassy, Paris, 29 January 1971 467. Confidential Britain and the EEC When I saw Brunet1 28th January, I also had a go at him about Lipkowski’s remarks in Australia of the consequences for us of Britain’s entry into the EEC.2 2. I got no change on this at all...’
277. CABLEGRAM, O’NEILL TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 22 April 1971; ‘Brussels, 22 April 1971 267. Confidential Enlargement Negotiations, Meeting of Deputies, 21–22 April Commonwealth Briefing 1. I said that this had been a short meeting at which only 2 subjects, agricultural transitional arrangements and Euratom were raised, both by the UK delegation. Agricultural Transitional Arrangements 2. We had made a...’
278. CABLEGRAM; O'NEILL TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 13 May 1971; ‘Brussels, 13 May 1971 364. Confidential Enlargement Negotiations: Ministerial Meeting 11/12 May Commonwealth Briefing I briefed Commonwealth representatives on Mr Rippon’s behalf as he had to leave very early this morning for Rejkjavik. 2. This had been a long and successful meeting at which satisfactory decisions had been taken […]...’
279. PRESS STATEMENT BY ANTHONY: 4 June 1971; ‘Brussels, 4 June 1971 EEC Discussions Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Anthony, said in Brussels today that some agricultural products could be excluded from the British market from the day that Britain joined the European Economic Community. He said this would result from the...’
280. CABLEGRAM, ANTHONY TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 4 June 1971; ‘Australian Embassy Brussels, 4 June 1971 327. Confidential In Brussels I have talked in turn to four of the Commissioners of the European Communities, beginning with Mansholt (agriculture) and then Dahrendorf (trade), Malfatti (President), and finally today Deniau (enlargement negotiations). I have also had talks with Fayat, Belgian Minister for...’
281. CABLEGRAM, ANTHONY TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 8 June 1971; ‘Australian Embassy Paris, 8 June 1971 2661. Confidential I saw Prime Minister Chaban-Delmas on 17 June for forty minutes. He invited me to raise any problems the Australian Government had concerning France. 2. I told him that the matter which was most on my mind at present was the effects...’
282. CABLEGRAM, DOWNER TO MCMAHON: 10 June 1971; ‘London, 10 June 1971 11013. Personal And Secret Britain and the EEC Last night at the Foreign Secretary’s annual Diplomatic Banquet amidst the splendours of Hampton Court I had a revealing, and highly spirited, discussion with Rippon, and a much friendlier one beforehand with Ted Heath. Rippon is angered by...’
283. CABLEGRAM, BUNTING TO DOWNER: 15 June 1971; ‘London, 15 June 1971 7856. Confidential The following is the text of a Prime Minister to Prime Minister message which Mr McMahon wishes you to have delivered today to Mr Heath: Begins The Australian Government has followed with concern the reported developments in the negotiations between the United Kingdom and...’
284. BACKGROUND NOTE, ANTHONY VISIT TO LONDON: June 1971; ‘London, undated [June 1971] Meetings between British Ministers and the Australian Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Anthony) 18 June—23 June 1971 Mr Anthony has recently become Deputy Prime Minister in the Coalition Government and Leader of the County [sic] Party in Australia. The future of neither institution can be described as...’
285. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN RIPPON AND ANTHONY: 18 June 1971; ‘London, 18 June 1971 Confidential Mr Rippon began by giving a brief account of progress in the negotiations. The fact that certain major issues had been specified did not mean that we had neglected others or that we had overlooked the interests of the developed countries of the Commonwealth. We...’
286. PRESS STATEMENT BY ANTHONY: 23 June 1971; ‘London, 23 June 1971 Australia Dissatisfied with Luxembourg Decisions The Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Mr J. D. Anthony, said in London today, 23rd June, that Australia would not regard the agreement reached in Luxembourg on British EEC entry as satisfactory unless there was some provision made to ensure some access...’
287. LETTER, TICKELL TO DOWNER: 24 June 1971; ‘London, 24 June 1971 When Mr Anthony and Mr Rippon met last Friday morning1 it was apparent that there was some misunderstanding about the exact terms of the understanding we have with the Community about provision for measures to avoid disruption of trade in agricultural commodities with third countries during...’
288. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN RIPPON AND ANTHONY: 25 June 1971; ‘London, 25 June 1971 Confidential Mr Rippon said he hoped that the letter from his Private Secretary to the Australian High Commissioner had clarified the Community’s understanding on measures to avoid disruption of agricultural trade with Britain’s traditional trading partners. 1 It was clear that this was a general undertaking....’
289. CABLEGRAM, ANTHONY TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 25 June 1971; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 25 June 1971 12150. Confidential I had a further short meeting with Rippon this morning (25th June) when we traversed much the same ground as before without getting any satisfaction. 1 The one thing that became clear was that the British do not propose to take...’
290. COMMENTS TO PRESS BY ANTHONY: 27 June 1971; ‘London, 27 June 1971 Douglas Anthony, Australia’s Deputy Premier, said today that in its negotiations to enter the Common Market Britain had failed to keep its promise to Australia. Britain had apparently ‘washed its hands’ to [sic] responsibility for Australia’s social problems, Anthony told newsmen at Heathrow Airport where he...’
291. PRESS STATEMENT BY ANTHONY: 2 July 1971; ‘Canberra, 2 July 1971 Australia’s Changing Patterns of Trade On his arrival in Sydney tonight the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Anthony, issued the following statement: I return from my first visit as Minister for Trade and Industry to four areas of major importance in...’
292. TELEGRAM, HEATH TO MCMAHON: 2 July 1971; ‘London, 2 July 1971 218. Confidential Thank you for your message, which Alick Downer sent to me on 15 June, 1 setting out your views on aspects of our proposed entry into the European Community which concern Australia. I have now also had from Geoffrey Rippon, John Davies2 and James...’
293. TELEGRAM, JAMES TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 8 July 1971; ‘Canberra, 8 July 1971 866. Confidential After reading Prime Minister’s message, 1 and summary of White Paper, Mr McMahon said that he did not wish to offer any substantive comment at this stage. However, the agreement which we had now reached with the Six would confront Australian Government with problems...’
294. MESSAGE, HEATH TO MCMAHON: 7 July 1971; ‘London, 7 July 1971 Personal And Confidential I am sending this personal message to let you know that Her Majesty’s Government have decided to recommend to Parliament that the United Kingdom should join the European Communities on the terms which we have negotiated. I shall be announcing this in the...’
295. DESPATCH, JAMES TO HOME: 7 July 1971; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 7 July 1971 Confidential Australia, the EEC and Mr Anthony The successful outcome of the Luxembourg negotiations on the morning of 23 June brought sharply before Australians the prospect of British membership of the European Economic Community. It had long been realised that this was likely,...’
296. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN ANTHONY AND JAMES: 8 July 1971; ‘Canberra, 8 July 1971 Confidential After initial courtesies, Mr Anthony remarked that ‘in agricultural politics, nobody loves anybody’. It was a pity, he added, that the British Government had not tried harder to obtain specific measures of protection for threatened Australian products, since if we had done so, then blame...’
297. LETTER, JAMES TO O’NEILL: 9 July 1971; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 9 July 1971 Confidential Australia and the EEC After discussion with Curtis Keeble1 (who as might be expected has given me some very valuable advice in the two months since I took up my new post here) I decided to ask Doug Anthony round for a...’
298. MEMORANDUM, O'NEILL TO STATHAM AND TICKELL: 16 July 1971; ‘London, 16 July 1971 Confidential Australia and the EEC I think Mr Rippon would like to see this letter from Sir M James in Canberra. 1 His conversation with Mr Anthony did not produce anything very new, but may I think have done some good. Two things in it are...’
299. MEMORANDUM, STATHAM TO O'NEILL AND TICKELL: 30 July 1971; ‘London, 30 July 1971 Confidential Australia and the EEC Sir Morrice James’ letter of 9 July described his discussion with Mr Anthony. 1 Mr Rippon has seen Sir C O’Neill’s minute upon this letter, dated 16 July,2 (which has reached me only today) and has commented that he does not...’
300. MEMORANDUM, TICKELL TO STATHAM: 5 August 1971; ‘London, 5 August 1971 Confidential Australia and the EEC The Chancellor of the Duchy has seen your proposed telegraphic reply to Sir Morrice James’s letter of 9 July to Sir Con O’Neill regarding his conversation with Mr Anthony about Australia and the EEC.1 Mr Rippon is not entirely happy with...’
301. MEMORANDUM, STATHAM TO O’NEILL AND TICKELL: 13 August 1971; ‘London, 13 August 1971 Australia and the EEC 1. I submit a draft letter from Sir C O’Neill in reply to Sir Morrice James’ letter to him of 9 July. 1 It is written in the light of Mr Tickell’s minute of 5 August on my submission of 30 July.2...’
302. RECORD OF MEETING, TRADE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 29 July 1971; ‘Canberra, 29 July 1971 Confidential UK/EEC This is an internal department note of a confidential briefing given to the Department of Foreign Affairs on 9th July by Mr D. H. McKay, Secretary and Mr W.A. McKinnon, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, about Mr Anthony’s recent visit...’
303. MEMORANDUM, HEATH TO CABINET: 2 August 1971; ‘London, 2 August 1971 Secret The European Economic Communities 1. The main issues in our negotiations for accession to the European Economic Communities have now been resolved. Parliament will be asked in October to approve our decision in principle to join the Communities on the terms which have been negotiated....’
304. SUBMISSION NO. 21, DOWNER TO CABINET: 12 January 1962; ‘Canberra, 12 January 1962 Confidential The United Kingdom Government’s Commonwealth Immigrants Bill The Commonwealth Immigrants Bill was presented in the House of Commons by Mr R.A. Butler on 1st November, 1961. 2. The purpose of the Bill is to control immigration into the United Kingdom from Commonwealth countries. Hitherto, this...’
305. CABINET MINUTE, DECISION NO. 37: 31 January 1962; ‘Canberra, 31 January 1962 Confidential Submission No. 21—the United Kingdom Government’s Commonwealth Immigrants Bill The Cabinet agreed that Australia should not comment on the principles of this proposed legislation, but that representations should be made by the appropriate Departments through the British High Commissioner’s Office in Canberra for modification of...’
306. MEMORANDUM, HEYDON TO DOWNER: 16 April 1962; ‘Canberra, 16 April 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act The British Commonwealth Immigrants Act will come into force on 1st July. An announcement is expected to be made in Britain about 19th April concerning the administrative arrangements and this will be followed by newspaper advertisements here by the British High Commission setting...’
307. LETTER, HARRISON TO BROOKE: 19 October 1962; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 19 October 1962 Since the coming into force of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, its effect on Australian citizens wishing to enter Britain has been causing me some considerable concern. Appeals for assistance have been made to the Australian High Commission on three occasions by Australians...’
308. LETTER, BROOKE TO HARRISON: 7 November 1962; ‘London, 7 November 1962 Entry of Australian Citizens into Britain Thank you for your letter of 19th October about the operation of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act in regard to Australians.1 The British Government made it clear, when the legislation was going through Parliament, that they were most reluctant to introduce...’
309. LETTER, NIMMO TO BROWN: 20 November 1962; ‘Canberra, 20 November 1962 On 26th October we received a copy of a letter addressed on 19th October to the Home Secretary by Sir Eric Harrison, 1 in which Sir Eric asked for an assurance that the provisions of the Commonwealth Immigrants’ Act, 1962 will be applied against Australian citizens...’
310. MEMORANDUM, HEYDON TO DOWNER: 16 April 1963; ‘Canberra, 16 April 1963 As directed I recently discussed with Mr Larmour, Counsellor of the British High Commission in Canberra (who on that date was in charge of the High Commission)2 the arrangements for passengers from Commonwealth countries to pass through immigration controls in the United Kingdom. 2. Mr Larmour...’
311. LETTER, LARMOUR TO HEYDON: 11 April 1963; ‘Canberra, 11 April 1963 I promised to let you have such information as we have available here, about arrangements for Commonwealth passengers to pass through Immigration controls at London and other ports of entry into the United Kingdom, including Dover, which you particularly mentioned. 2. The general principle is that...’
312. LETTER, LARMOUR TO HEYDON: 24 June 1963; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 24 June 1963 In my letter to you of 11th April about arrangements for Commonwealth passengers at ports of entry into Britain, 1 I said that structural alterations were being made at London Airport so that no Commonwealth non-United Kingdom passengers would be required to queue...’
313. LETTER, HEYDON TO CASEY: 21 February 1964; ‘Canberra, 21 February 1964 Your enquiry of 5th February1 as to whether Australia has been noticeably affected by the operation of the United Kingdom Commonwealth Immigrants Act can, I believe, be answered in the negative and, as far as I am aware, the same could be said of Canada and...’
314. LETTER, DOWNER TO HEYDON: 8 November 1966; ‘London, 8 November 1966 I have sent [the attached Times article, ‘Cool Greeting for New Foreigners’]1 out to Jack Bunting, saying that I will take an opportunity of having a talk with the Commonwealth Secretary privately. This is a situation which, if it develops, could do untold harm to Anglo-Australian...’
315. DESPATCH, JOHNSTON TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 14 November 1966; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 14 November 1966 Departmental Distribution Australian Press on Immigration Restrictions Week-end and today’s papers have extensive reporting and comment on what mass-circulation tabloid ‘Sun-Herald’ sums up as ‘UK Immigration Crack-Down’. Theme of reporting is that British immigration officials appear to be tightening up on individual admissions...’
316. DESPATCH, JOHNSTON TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 15 November 1966; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 15 November 1966 Unclassified Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra Times and Australian all carry leaders today on Immigration Restrictions. 2. ‘Herald’ leader writes that ‘to be treated like this in a country where we have so many historic cultural and personal roots is, we feel, almost beyond...’
317. MINUTE, GARNER TO PRITCHARD: 16 November 1966; ‘London, 16 November 1966 Confidential Immigration I think we ought to take a view, and perhaps put some recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary about entry into this country. Until 1962 there was virtually completely free entry for all British subjects. Solely on account of the steeply rising numbers of immigrants...’
318. LETTER, JOHNSTON TO GARNER: 30 November 1966; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 30 November 1966 Personal And Confidential Many thanks for your letter of 24 November about the entry of Australians into Britain. I was gratified to see that you had put so succinctly into words what many of us here feel, in your minute of 16 November....’
319. MINUTE, GARNER TO PRITCHARD: 21 November 1966; ‘London, 21 November 1966 Confidential Entry into Britain Sir A. Downer called to see me this afternoon as he put it, to have an informal talk following his reference to Australian difficulties in entering this country with the Secretary of State1 on Armistice Sunday. I listened to a very involved,...’
320. DESPATCH, JOHNSTON TO BOWDEN: 22 November 1966; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 22 November 1966 Confidential Australia: Australia and the Commonwealth Immigrants Act The object of this despatch is to convey a considered warning of the serious effect on British-Australian relations likely to be caused by restrictions upon the movement of Australians into the United Kingdom, imposed under...’
321. LETTER, KNOTT TO PRITCHARD: 7 December 1966; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 7 December 1966 You asked me to let you have some information in greater detail in respect of particular cases of Australian citizens affected by the Commonwealth Immigrants’ Act. This message followed a talk that Sir Alexander Downer had with Sir Saville Garner and yourself on...’
322. MINUTE, HAMILION TO STORAR: 2 December 1966; ‘London, 2 December 1966 All to the good? They are not ‘British’ —they are ‘Australians’? 1 This minute was in response to an enclosed article in the Evening Standard under the headline ‘Australia Should Drop British from Passports’, I December 1966. The article was commenting on a report in Perth’s...’
323. MINUTE, STORAR TO HAMILTON: 6 December 1966; ‘London, 6 December 1966 Ref a) I agree as it only creates confusion in regard to our immigration control Ref b) In the British Nationality Act citizens of other Commonwealth countries are specifically stated to be ‘British subjects’. Australians are British subjects but not UK Nationals—no wonder they get confused....’
324. MINUTE, ARMSTRONG TO ANGEL: 21 January 1971; ‘London, 21 January 1971 Confidential The Prime Minister saw Mr Gorton, the Prime Minister of Australia, at a private meeting in Singapore on 16 January.1 The Prime Minister told Mr Gorton about the forthcoming Immigration Bill. Mr Gorton said that he thought that the proposals would be regarded as a...’
325. LETTER, ANGEL TO ARMSTRONG: 28 January 1971; ‘London, 28 January 1971 Confidential On 21st January you informed me that the Prime Minister of Australia, at a meeting with the Prime Minister in Singapore on 16th January, welcomed the terms of the proposed Immigration Bill, but enquired whether the existing separation of United Kingdom and other passport holders...’
326. MINUTE, ARMSTRONG TO HEATH: 30 January 1971; ‘London, 30 January 1971 Confidential I took up with the Home Office Mr Gorton’s point about the segregation of British and other passport holders at Immigration Control. The answer is that the effect of merging the two streams would be to deprive British passport holders, who are not subject to...’
327. MINUTE, ARMSTRONG TO ANGEL: 4 February 1971; ‘London, 4 February 1971 Thank you for your letter of 28 January about the segregation of United Kingdom and other passport holders at certain of our ports and airports.1 The Prime Minister finds it very difficult to accept the argument that it is not possible to do away with segregation....’
328. LETTER, ANGEL TO ARMSTRONG: 18 February 1971; ‘London, 18 February 1971 Personal I attach an official reply to your letter of 4th February about segregation at ports. 1 When I discussed this letter with the Home Secretary he suggested that I might mention to you separately that when Mr Jenkins came to the Home Office he expressed...’
329. LETTER, ANGEL TO ARMSTRONG: 18 February 1971; ‘London, 18 February 1971 You wrote to me again on 4th February about the division between United Kingdom passport holders and other passengers at some of our ports and airports. 1 There are in the main two reasons why other countries do not find segregation necessary. The first is that...’
330. MINUTE, ARMSTRONG TO HEATH: 19 February 1971; ‘London, 19 February 1971 You will remember that Mr Gorton raised with you in Singapore the business of the separation into two channels of British passport and other passport holders passing through immigration control at points of entry into Britain.1 We asked the Home Office to comment, and they produced...’
331. MINUTE, STORAR TO DOWNING: 29 February 1972; ‘London, 29 February 1972 Confidential Immigration and Australia […] 2. It is obviously unfortunate that EEC nationals wishing to work in Britain will in due course be able to do so without let or hindrance, whereas citizens of Commonwealth countries with similar desires will continue to be subject to a...’
332. LETTER, DOWNER TO MAUDLING: 12 May 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 12 May 1972 I am writing to you on the contentious subject of the administration of your Immigration Act in so far as it affects visiting Australians. I have been asked to do this by the six Agents-General of the Australian States: The Hon. Sir Murray...’
333. LETTER, MAUDLING TO DOWNER: 21 June 1972; ‘London, 21 June 1972 You wrote to me on 12th May about the difficulties experienced by some Australians in relation to our immigration control. 1 I attach the greatest importance to the prompt and courteous treatment of passengers passing through our immigration control, and immigration officers are left in no...’
334. MINUTE, HICKMAN TO NORRIS: 22 August 1972; ‘London, 22 August 1972 Confidential Immigration from the ‘Old’ Commonwealth 1. When we recently discussed the question of streaming of ‘old’ and EEC citizens entering this country, you expressed concern about some possible solutions of that problem (and about the substantive new immigration rules). […] 2. Since immigration control was...’
335. MINUTE BY FITZHERBERT: 17 October 1972; ‘London, 17 October 1972 Confidential Immigration and the ‘Old’ Commonwealth Problem 1. There has recently been correspondence between No 10 Downing Street, the Home Office and the FCO about ‘streaming’ arrangements at UK ports following our entry into the EEC on 1 January 1973. The Home Secretary’s latest proposal is...’
336. CABLEGRAM, DOWNER TO MCMAHON: 19 October 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 19 October 1972 16856. Confidential I have had discussions with Alec Douglas-Home and Home Secretary Robert Carr this week about problems arising from the entry and residence of Australians in Britain. 2. Douglas-Home himself, during a farewell call I made on the 16th October, raised this...’
337. LETTER, HOME TO CARR: 23 October 1972; ‘London, 23 October 1972 Confidential Immigration and the Old Commonwealth Recent correspondence about the ‘streaming’ arrangements at UK ports has highlighted one aspect of a broader problem. The broader problem is that of the acute dislike in the old Commonwealth of our immigration rules and procedures. 2. The new Commonwealth...’
338. DESPATCH, AIERS TO SCOTT: 31 October 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 31 October 1972 Confidential Australia and the Immigration Act 1971 1. As you know, there has been considerable correspondence at departmental level about the Australian attitude over the conditions governing their entry into Britain. When the Regulations for control on or after entry were tabled in...’
339. MINUTE BY BOOKER: 14 November 1972; ‘London, 14 November 1972 Confidential Daily Express 1. ROY BLACKMAN of the Daily Express told me today that Sir Max Aitken1 had had a meeting of all departments of the Daily Express today at which he ordered that a campaign be launched straight away and continued until the end of...’
340. MINUTE, CARR TO HEATH: 16 November 1972; ‘London, 16 November 1972 Confidential Immigration Control and the Old Commonwealth When we had a word a day or 2 ago about the Old Commonwealth and our immigration control you suggested that it would be as well for a few of us to get together for an early discussion. I...’
341. MLNUTE, ARMSTRONG TO ANGEL: 16 November 1972; ‘London, 16 November 1972 Secret The Prime Minister has read the leading article in today’s Daily Express about the immigration arrangements for people coming from Australia, New Zealand and Canada. 1 He recognises that an immediate change being made does in fact relax the immigration restrictions on Commonwealth citizens, in...’
342. LETTER, SPOWERS TO HOME: 17 November 1972; ‘London, 17 November 1972 Personal Sir Alexander Downer has asked me to send you a copy of this letter, approved by him, which I have written today to the Home Secretary. 1 May I say in addition to you that I spent my last week-end in Australia with my Godfather...’
343. LETTER, SPOWERS TO CARR: 17 November 1972; ‘London, 17 November 1972 Personal On the advice of my friend, Sir Alexander Downer, I am writing to inform you of an unhappy circumstance on my return to this country from Australia last week. There was no passport officer present at the barrier marked ‘Commonwealth and Irish’. I had the...’
344. TELEGRAM, SPOWERS TO THE QUEEN: November 1972; ‘London, undated May it please Your Majesty I and other of your affectionate Australian subjects have served Your Majesty and the Royal Family for many generations. It is with anger and dismay that we find in the present legislation of Your Majesty’s Government the deprivation of rights which we fought...’
345. CABLEGRAM, PRITCHETT TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 20 November 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 20 November 1972 18757. Unclassified The ‘Daily Express’ has continued its campaign over the weekend. 2. On the 18th November it carried a report from Sydney (John Monks) that Sir Max Aitken and the Daily Express were front page news in Australia. All newspapers were carrying...’
346. LETTER, DOWNER TO AITKEN: 22 November 1972; ‘London, 22 November 1972 Personal In common with millions of Australians—and I am sure most Old Commonwealth citizens everywhere—I would like to express my gratitude for the campaign on our behalf which you initiated in the Daily Express. Having relinquished my post as High Commissioner only 4 weeks ago l...’
347. CABLEGRAM, PRITCHETT TO WALLER: 21 November 1972; ‘London, 21 November 1972 18843. Confidential Immigration to Britain We have been receiving numerous approaches from the Press, public men and the general public seeking comment or briefing on the new British immigration rules and the Australian attitude towards them in the light of the London Press campaign (still principally...’
348. MINUTE, BUNTING TO MCMAHON: 22 November 1972; ‘Canberra, 22 November 1972 Confidential As you will have read in the Press a political controversy has developed in the House of Commons about the regulations which are due to come into force on 1 January next concerning entry into Britain. These regulations will provide practically unlimited entry for citizens...’
349. LETTER, ARMSTRONG TO WALLER: 22 November 1972; ‘Canberra, 22 November 1972 I refer to cable 18759 [sic] of20 November from the Australian High Commission in London concerning immigration to Britain. 1 It is indicated that, following discussion in White Hall on 21 November, the Acting High Commissioner will be cabling an appreciation of the new rules; that...’
350. CABLEGRAM, PRITCHETT TO WALLER: 23 November 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 23 November 1972 18921. Restricted Immigration into Britain The Government was defeated in the debate tonight on a motion rejecting the statements of immigration rules for control and after [EEC] entry, by 275 votes to 240. 2. Wilson, calling the question ‘a major constitutional issue’, demanded...’
351. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN WALLER AND JAMES: 24 November 1972; ‘Canberra, 24 November 1972 Confidential Immigration into Britain I saw Sir Morrice James this morning and made the following points: (a) We have not wished to become publicly involved in a British controversy. Our Acting High Commissioner therefore refrained from comment on the proposed new rules. (b) The Australian Government...’
352. CABLEGRAM, PRLTCHETT TO WALLER: 26 November 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 26 November 1972 19078. Confidential Immigration into Britain Thank you for your 15097 and other cables containing guidance and for the useful advice on Australian Press coverage.1 Desirability of considered public guidance 2. Your instruction should be sufficient for us to manage for the time being,...’
353. CABLEGRAM,PRITCHETT TO WALLER: 26 November 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 26 November 1972 19079. Confidential Immigration into Britain […] 2 The following is a record of conversations with Sir Bernard Braine, MP1 on 24 November. Record 3 Sir Bernard Braine telephoned me this morning. He emphasised that he was speaking quite privately and asked that his...’
354. TELEGRAM, PRITCHETT TO WALLER: 26 November 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 26 November 1972 19080. Personal For Waller Only Immigration into Britain There is one dimension of the situation that I feel I should report for restricted distribution, although your background and intuition have probably already grasped it. 2. I refer to what might be called the...’
355. CABLEGRAM, WALLER TO PRITCHETT: 27 November 1972; ‘Canberra, 27 November 1972 15135. Confidential Immigration into Britain Thanks for your 19078/79. 1 2. Perhaps I might comment first on your telegrams which throw valuable light on the situation which is causing difficulties for you. I think the basic fact about the agitation against the riew British immigration regulations...’
356. TELEGRAM, JAMES TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 27 November 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 27 November 1972 1649. Unclassified Australian Press and Immigration 1. Week-end papers continued to give prominence to London reports on aftermath of Commons debate and there have been more editorials on alien status for Australians. 2. ‘The Australian’ (25 November) reports accusation that Mr McMahon deliberately...’
357. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN PRITCHETT AND CARR: 28 November 1972; ‘London, 28 November 1972 Confidential I thanked Mr Carr for receiving me and explained that I had not called on any specific instructions from my Government. However, it would be helpful to me to have a private and informal talk with him. Mr Carr responded that it would be helpful...’
358. LETTER, JAMES TO NORRIS: 6 December 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 6 December 1972 Confidential Immigration into Britain 1. Sir Max Aitken’s ‘Daily Express’ campaign,1 and the Government’s defeat in the House of Commons on 22 November at the end of the debate on the new immigration rules, gave fresh lease of life to the agitation in...’
359. LETTER, KILPATRICK TO CARRINGTON: 29 November 1972; ‘Melbourne, 29 November 1972 A meeting of the National Committee of the Australia–Britain Society was held in Melbourne yesterday, and I am happy to tell you that the organization is now complete with branches formed and active in every State of Australia as well as at Canberra. All members present...’
360. TELEGRAM, HOME TO CANBERRA AND WELLINGTON: 15 December 1972; ‘London, 15 December 1972 1330. Confidential Immigration […] 2. I would now like to propose directly to Messrs Whitlam and Kirk1 that there should shortly be consultation with their Governments, in line with the undertakings given by me and the Home Secretary in the House of Commons on 22 November....’
361. LETTER, ARMSTRONG TO WALLER: 19 December 1972; ‘Canberra, 19 December 1972 Confidential I refer to our talk today concerning the British Government’s instruction to their High Commissioner here to seek consultations with the Australian Government concerning Britain’s entry requirements in relation to Australians. As I see it, there are two main considerations needing to be reconciled: your...’
362. TELEGRAM, JAMES TO HOME: 18 December 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 18 December 1972 1773. Confidential Immigration 1. As you know, the Prime Minister and Sir Keith Waller (Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs) have spoken to me in ways which suggest that Australian Government will not (repeat not) easily be brought to co-operate with us in the...’
363. TELEGRAM, HOME TO JAMES: 18 December 1972; ‘London, 18 December 1972 1338. Confidential Immigration 1. In the circumstances, I agree that it would be a good idea to prepare the ground with Waller. 2. Unless the Australian Government decides that it does not wish to express any views to us on this subject, I agree that you...’
364. TELEGRAM, JAMES TO HOME: 19 December 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 19 December 1972 1781. Confidential Immigration 1. I saw Sir K. Waller (Secretary, DFA) accordingly today, 19 December, and spoke as agreed. 2. In response, Waller first registered scepticism about the feasibility of introducing any new reciprocal arrangement to govern migration between Britain and Australia. Reason...’
365. BOUT DE PAPIER, JAMES TO WALLER: 20 December 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 20 December 1972 Confidential My Government have asked me to seek an early interview with the Prime Minister about their desire to enter into consultation with the Australian Government on immigration matters, provided the latter agree. 2. It will be recalled that on 22 November the...’
366. RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN WHITLAM AND JAMES: 20 December 1972; ‘Canberra, 20 December 1972 Secret The High Commissioner who called on instructions and at his own request referred to the bout de papier he had earlier left with Sir Keith Waller.2 The Prime Minister said that he had seen the bout de papier and discussed it with Sir Keith Waller....’
367. TELEGRAM, JAMES TO HOME: 20 December 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 20 December 1972 1803. Confidential Immigration 1. At our talk today, 20 December, Prime Minister (who had been briefed by Sir Keith Waller immediately beforehand) said there were 2 principles which he had to bear in mind. It would be quite wrong if (a) attitude of...’
368. MINUTE, AMERY TO HOME: 12 December 1972; ‘London, 12 December 1972 Personal And Confidential 1. It may be helpful if I put on paper what I said yesterday in our talk on immigration. There are really two problems: (1) The UKPH (2) How to let in ‘Kith and Kin’ on equal terms with the EEC without disrupting...’
369. LETTER, CARR TO HOME: 22 December 1972; ‘London, 22 December 1972 Personal And Confidential Immigration 1. Thank you for sending me Julian Amery’s interesting ideas .about the possible future shape of our immigration policy. I have read his paper with interest. 2. I do not think that there is all that difference between Julian’s ideas and my...’
370. CABINET MINUTE, 3RD CONCLUSIONS: 23 January 1973; ‘London, 23 January 1973 Secret Immigration Rules THE HOME SECRETARY said that the Immigration Rules had now been redrafted in two separate parts, one dealing with Commonwealth citizens and the other with European Economic Community (EEC) and other non-Commonwealth nationals. There were no modifications of any importance in the Rules...’
371. MEMORANDUM BY BRITISH HIGHCOMMISSION: 24 January 1973; ‘Canberra, 24 January 1973 Confidential On 25 January the British Home Secretary will table revised Immigration Rules in the House of Commons. The revised Rules will replace those rejected by the House of Commons on 22 November. The Rules will be separated into two sets, one covering citizens of the...’
372. MEMORANDUM, BUNTING TO HOLT: 27 September 1967; ‘Canberra, 27 September 1967 Australia House1 If there is to be Party discussion about Australia House being outside the control of External Affairs, the notes sent to you will give you good background for any remarks you are called on to make. 2. But what strikes me as the central...’
373. LETTER, HOLT TO TURNER: 4 October 1967; ‘Canberra, 4 October 1967 Following our recent discussion about the administration of Australia House, I would like to let you have a considered comment and, at the same time, to pick up the points you raised in your speech on the adjournment last year. I recognise that there are grounds...’
374. MEMORANDUM, BUNTING TO MCMAHON: 10 July 1971; ‘Canberra, 10 July 1971 Confidential Australia House1 You will recall speaking to me and Sir Frederick Wheeler 2 about the transfer of Australia House to Foreign Affairs for administrative purposes. 2. It was left with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet when you took over but on the...’
375. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 11 August 1971; ‘Canberra, 11 August 1971 The Prime Minister telephoned me—12 July. 2. He said, as his annotation shows, that he had not given any policy direction that Australia House is to be transferred to Foreign Affairs. My minute was therefore, he believed, wrongly based. 3. He said he would need a...’
376. MESSAGE, BUNTING TO WALLER: 11 August 1971; ‘Canberra, 11 August 1971 As you know, following the discussion I had with you and Mr Collings,1 I raised with the Prime Minister the question of control of Australia House and its possible transfer to the Department of Foreign Affairs. This was on 10 July. The Prime Minister’s reaction was...’
377. LETTER, WALLER TO BUNTING: 20 August 1971; ‘Canberra, 20 August 1971 You wrote to me on 11th August about the transfer of Australia House and the Prime Minister’s desire for a paper on this subject. I shall be happy to discuss this with you and Sir Frederick Wheeler. In the meantime I am sending a few thoughts...’
378. LETTER, WALLER TO BUNTING: 7 October 1971; ‘Canberra, 7 October 1971 Confidential Confidential Australian Representation in London You will recall I discussed with you yesterday the possibility of your writing a letter to Sir Alexander Downer. As you know, I am leaving for an overseas visit on Saturday and so I thought that I should write to...’
379. MEMORANDUM FOR PRIME MINISTER, FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 22 October 1971; ‘Canberra, 22 October 1971 Confidential Australia House—Responsibility Talking Points You told the Leader of the Opposition on 5 October that you would not agree to a change in responsibility until you had discussed the matter with the British Prime Minister and Buckingham Palace. The Leader of the Opposition made it...’
380. MEMORANDUM BY BOSWELL: 1 October 1971; ‘Australian High Commission, London, undated [October 1971] Points—Australia House: Arguments for Continuing Present Arrangements Foreign Affairs’ comments tend to assume that the relationship with Britain is essentially diplomatic in character. It is basically a cultural relationship which feeds our institutions, our language, our social and political concepts. As long as...’
381. MINUTE, JAMES TO HOME: 28 April 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 28 April 1972 Confidential Sir John Bunting told me today that he expected the transfer of responsibility for Australia House from the DPMC to the DFA to be effected at an early date, possibly as soon as 1 July. Sir J. Bunting said that the DFA...’
382. LETTER, BUNTING TO DOWNER: 8 May 1972; ‘Canberra, 8 May 1972 Confidential The Minister for Foreign Affairs will be making a statement on Foreign Policy in Parliament on 9 May. Extracts from the statement will be sent by telegram and copies of the full text by first bag. In his statement the Minister refers to our interests...’
383. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 8 May 1972; ‘Canberra, 8 May 1972 Confidential Confidential I spoke to Mr Bowen in Sydney on Thursday, 4 May, about ‘the Australia House’ passage in his speech. We discussed it. 2. I said—and he agreed—that the words ‘in this context’ are not well chosen and gave the wrong impression. 3. I suggested...’
384. CABLEGRAM, DOWNER TO BUNTING: 9 May 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 9 May 1972 7206. Personal And Confidential I noted carefully the reference in the Foreign Minister’s Statement concerning the transfer of Australia House to the Department of Foreign Affairs. I think you know my views, but for the official record I wish to state that I...’
385. LETTER, BOSWELL TO BAILEY: 9 May 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 9 May 1972 I have been looking through the file 71/9449 ‘Transfer of Responsibility for Australia House to the Department ofForeign Affairs’. I am afraid that—although this is not stated explicitly—I do gain the impression on reading the Foreign Affairs papers that Australia House is regarded...’
386. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 26 May 1972; ‘Canberra, 26 May 1972 Confidential I spoke to the Prime Minister about control of Australia House. I said that policy having been decided, the next issue was date of transfer to Foreign Affairs. 2. The Prime Minister answered that he was ‘in no hurry’. 3. I said that may be...’
387. LETTER, MCCARTHY TO HICKMAN: 26 May 1972; ‘New York, 26 May 1972 Confidential Aurora Australiensis 1. I think you know plenty about the awkwardness between the Prime Minister’s Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra and the awkwardness at Australia House between political chiefs and career staff. But the following scurrility which has come my...’
388. LETTER, HICKMAN TO MCCARTHY: 2 June 1972; ‘London, 2 June 1972 Confidential Aurora Australiensis 1. Many thanks for your letter of 26 May about this phenomenon. 1 We are indeed well aware of the friction both within Australia House between the Department of Foreign Affairs staff and other elements (not to mention the problems peculiar to the...’
389. LETTER, BOWEN TO MCMAHON: 2 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 2 August 1972 Attached is a copy of the statement that I propose making to Parliament following your agreement that I should be in a position at the time of the opening of the Budget Session to announce the state of the transfer of responsibility for Australia House. You...’
390. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 4 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 4 August 1972 Confidential Australia House The Prime Minister rang. 2. He has a letter from Foreign Affairs—the Minister. 1 3. It deals with the question of transfer. 4. He wants to have a look at it. He believes Foreign Affairs are too anxious. 5. They are not to...’
391. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 8 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 8 August 1972 Confidential Sir Keith Waller called to see me by arrangement to discuss the Australia house transfer, including date. 2. He brought with him Mr L.H. Border. 1 3. Sir Keith referred to the Minister’s letter of 2 August to the Prime Minister.2 He then referred to...’
392. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 11 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 11 August 1972 Confidential Australia House Mr Bowen opened the subject up with me at the end of a phone call I made to him on another matter. He said it appeared he may have misunderstood the outcome of the talk with the Prime Minister in Sydney recently when...’
393. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 14 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 14 August 1972 The Prime Minister called me into his office about 12.30pm. The Minister for Foreign Affairs was with him and the subject, already under discussion, was Australia House transfer. 2. The Prime Minister said it would be necessary to have a statement ready for a question in...’
394. MEMORANDUM, BUNTING TO MCMAHON: 14 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 14 August 1972 Confidential This is the Australia House letter I have drafted. 1 I have made three changes from the draft you approved. The first is to be found in the first paragraph on page 3. This is the section on the High Commissioner. I have used your...’
395. LETTER, MCMAHON TO BOWEN: 15 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 15 August 1972 Confidential I write concerning arrangements for the transfer to you and your Department of responsibility for administration of Australia House. Over the 60 years that Australia House has been part of the Prime Minister’s Department, it has developed many features which distinguish it from other overseas...’
396. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 17 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 17 August 1972 Confidential Australia House At the Prime Minister’s suggestion, I called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs. We discussed the Australia House transfer for approximately an hour. The Minister said that he was still turning the Prime Minister’s letter over in his mind and wanted to give...’
397. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 18 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 18 August 1972 Confidential Australia House I told Sir Keith Waller that I had an hour or so last night with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. 1 He said he was aware of this. I said it produced no particular outcome. In a way, it could be called a...’
398. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 20 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 20 August 1972 Confidential Australia House I told the Prime Minister of my discussion with Mr Bowen. 1 2. He noted that we had had a discussion rather than a negotiation and that Mr Bowen had, for the most part, spoken philosophically—though of course with firmness of view. 3....’
399. LETTER, BOWEN TO MCMAHON: 22 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 22 August 1972 Confidential I have received on 15 August 1972 your letter concerning arrangements for the transfer of responsibility for the administration of Australia House. 1 I have now had an opportunity of discussing the proposals set forth in the letter at some length with Sir John Bunting....’
400. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 24 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 24 August 1972 Confidential I rang Sir Keith Waller to tell him the subject matter of the call on me by the Ambassador of the Republic of China. He spoke to me of this morning’s Defence Committee Meeting. I then spoke about Australia House. I said I had received...’
401. MEMORANDUM, BAILEY TO BUNTING: 24 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 24 August 1972 Attached are the notes I promised on Australia House. 2. I have not put them into letter or minute form because I think it is still necessary to consider just what means are used to take the next steps. 3. One possibility would be a reply...’
402. MEMORANDUM LAWLER TO BAILEY: 28 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 28 August 1972 Thanks. I agree very much with the points you made1 —if anything I would want to be tougher. As you know I have come to feel that transfer itself is premature. At his request I gave the Secretary a rough line of reply—a chopping block—at weekend...’
403. LETTER DOWNER TO BUNTING: 1 September 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 1 September 1972 Personal I am delighted by the Prime Minister’s letter to Nigel Bowen concerning the proposed new arrangements for the control of this Mission.1 I thought his letter was excellent—but having read it, I could not help but I think why is it necessary...’
404. LETTER MCMAHON TO BOWEN: 21 September 1972; ‘Canberra, 21 September 1972 Confidential I refer to your letter of 22 August1 on Australia House in reply to mine of 15 August.2 I think it is best if in this letter I re-state certain matters so that we do not get into misunderstanding. I begin by saying that I...’
405. LETTER BOWEN TO MCMAHON: 22 September 1972; ‘Canberra, 22 September 1972 Confidential Thank you for your letter of 21 September about the transfer of Australia House.1 I agree with your proposal that the administration and control of Australia House should be transferred to the Minister and the Department of Foreign Affairs on 1 November 1972 under the...’
406. NOTE FOR FILE BY BUNTING: 23 September 1972; ‘Canberra, 23 September 1972 Confidential Australia House I rang the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I said that I rang because Mr Bowen was about to leave for the UN and the Prime Minister has asked me to speak to him about the Australia House letter.1 2. I would have wished...’
407. CABLEGRAM MCMAHON TO DOWNER: 20 October 1972; ‘Canberra, 20 October 1972 13373. Confidential As you know, arrangements for the transfer of responsibility for the High Commission to the Minister for Foreign Affairs are now in hand here. This is to confirm that I have decided the transfer should formally take place on 1 November. The immediate aim...’
408. MESSAGE DOWNER TO HEATH: 20 October 1972; ‘Canberra, 20 October 1972 I have been asked by my Prime Minister to send you the following message:– (begins) ‘During our discussions in London last November I mentioned the possible transfer of responsibility for Australia House to our Minister for Foreign Affairs. I have decided to go ahead with the...’
409. LETTER HEATH TO MCMAHON: 30 October 1972; ‘London, 30 October 1972 Thank you for giving me advance notice through Alec Downer of the decision you announced on 25 November [sic] about the transfer of responsibility for Australia House.1 I appreciate especially your statement that this decision would not change in any way the very close relationship between...’
410. BULLETIN AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION STAFF ASSOCIATION: 1 November 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, November 1972 It has been noted with some disquiet that a number of unfounded rumours have been in circulation amongst staff in connection with the transfer of administration from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Although many people have...’
411. LETTER PRITCHETT TO WALLER: 11 December 1972; ‘Australian High Commission, London, 11 December 1972 Personal Appointment of New Australian High Commissioner in London In your letter of 24th November you invited me to offer ideas about what should be included in the Ministerial Directive for the new High Commissioner. I doubt that anything I can say will...’
412. TELEGRAM JAMES TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 11 December 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 11 December 1972 1723. Confidential 1. The Prime Minister1 asked me this evening, 8 December, to inform you that he intends appointing the Honourable John Ignatius Armstrong to be Australian High Commissioner in London in succession to Sir A. Downer. […] 3. Mr Whitlam asked me...’
413. LETTER PETERS TO HICKMAN: 15 December 1972; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 15 December 1972 Confidential New Australian High Commissioner in London 1. Would you please refer to Canberra telegram number 1749 about the appointment of Mr Armstrong.1 2. His appointment for a 2 year term has been widely reported in the Australian newspapers and certain additional information...’
414. MINUTE BROOK TO BUTLER: 27 March 1961; ‘London, 27 March 1961 **‘Britain’ or ‘U.K.’ (C.(61)46)2 ** In this paper the Commonwealth Secretary proposes that, in our relations with other Commonwealth countries, we should in future describe this country as ‘Britain’ instead of ‘United Kingdom’.3 2. The Commonwealth Secretary says, in paragraph 6 of his paper, that this...’
415. SUBMISSION NO.254 SNEDDEN TO CABINET: 30 June 1966; ‘Canberra, 30 June 1966 Confidential Appeals to the Privy Council Over a period of years the question of abolishing appeals to the Privy Council has become the subject. of considerable professional, academic and other public interest. The question was raised in a concrete form last year at the third Commonwealth...’
416. MINUTE FORSTER TO PRITCHARD: 17 November 1966; ‘London, 17 November 1966 Confidential Lord Carrington called on the Commonwealth Secretary yesterday (16 November) to talk about his recent visit to Australia. He said that he had been shocked by the change in the Australian attitudes towards ourselves and the Americans over the last year. Britain was now looked...’
417. LETTER JOHNSTON TO GARNER: 26 January 1967; ‘Canberra, 26 January 1967 Confidential Australian Attitudes towards the Monarchy You sent me a copy of your letter of 18 May last to Henry Lintott,2 about Canadian attitudes towards the Monarchy, and said that you would welcome any comments from me on the position in Australia. 2. I am sorry...’
418. MINUTE GARNER TO PRITCHARD: 9 May 1967; ‘London, 9 May 1967 At the beginning of our talk Lord Casey said he wanted to speak to me about the position of the Monarchy, and it was clear that this was the thought chiefly on his mind. There was in fact nothing very new he had to say on...’
419. LETTER CASEY TO TYRRELL: 9 May 1967; ‘Australia House, London, 9 May 1967 Personal My dear Murray, I have had several discussions here about honours and the like that it is worth letting you know about while they are fresh in my mind. I led off with a good talk with Bowden (S. of S. for Commonwealth)...’
420. SUBMISSION NO. 285 BOWEN TO CABINET: 1 May 1967; ‘Canberra, May 1967 Confidential Appeals to the Privy Council In July last year Cabinet considered a Submission of my predecessor in which the question of abolition or restriction of appeals to the Privy Council was canvassed.1 In that Submission, my predecessor discussed a number of possible courses of limiting appeals....’
421. NOTE BY CABINET LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: 18 August 1967; ‘Canberra, 18 August 1967 Confidential Note on Cabinet Submission No. 285: Appeals to the Privy Council This is the second Submission1 on this subject since 1966. In July last year the then Attorney-General recommended abolition of appeals to the Privy Council to the fullest possible extent by Commonwealth legislation (that...’
422. SUBMISSION NO. 433-SNEDDEN TO CABINET: August 1967; ‘Canberra, August 1967 Confidential Use of the Word ‘British’ on Covers of Australian Passports Australia is now the only country, other than the United Kingdom, which has on the cover of its national passports the word ‘British’. Australian passports have on the first inner page a second use of the...’
423. LETTER HOLT TO WILSON: 24 August 1967; ‘Canberra, 24 August 1967 Confidential Sir John Bunting, the Secretary of my Department, has written to your High Commissioner telling him of the decision of my Government to limit appeals to the Privy Council from the High Court in matters of Federal jurisdiction. You will be receiving from Sir Charles...’
424. TELEGRAM COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO CANBERRA: 27 August 1967; ‘London, 27 August 1967 No. 1765. Confidential My immediately preceding telegram. Following is text of reply from Prime Minister to Mr. Holt’s message. Please pass this on to him. 2. Thank you for your message of the 24 August about the Australian Government’s decision to limit appeals to the Privy...’
425. LETTER JOHNSTON TO GARNER: 29 November 1967; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 29 November 1967 Confidential With reference to my letter of 25 October, there has been a new development here in the field of the Loyal Societies. 2. Sir Robert Menzies asked me to call on him when I was in Melbourne on 25 November, and we...’
426. LETTER JOHNSTON TO GARNER: 7 February 1968; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 7 February 1968 Confidential As instructed in your telegram No. 335 of February 6 I have today informed the Australian Prime Minister of the appointment of Lieutenant General Sir Edric Bastyan1 to be the next Governor of Tasmania. 2. In fact I wonder if in future...’
427. LETTER GARNER TO JOHNSTON: 28 February 1968; ‘London, 28 February 1968 Confidential I have been thinking about the interesting problem you raise in your letter of 7 February1 about the channel of communication for the announcement of appointments of Australian State Governors. I am afraid that I must differ from your understanding that State Governors are appointed...’
428. LETTER JOHNSTON TO JAMES: 6 March 1968; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 6 March 1968 Confidential Joe Garner wrote to me on February 281 about the channel of communication for the announcement of the appointments of Australian State Governors. I was interested to have Joe’s account of the anomalous situation which exists. 2. I had the opportunity for...’
429. SUBMISSION NO. 325, SNEDDEN TO CABINET: 18 October 1968; ‘Canberra, 18 October 1968 Confidential Revision of Nationality and Citizenship Act It is 20 years since the Nationality and Citizenship Act was passed. There have been eight amending Acts since then. These were concerned with specific matters requiring attention and none represented a comprehensive revision. This is now necessary. 2....’
430. MINUTE SMALLMAN TO AIERS: 17 February 1970; ‘London, 17 February 1970 Restricted Mr Wiggin2 sent me a copy of his minute of 16 February to you proposing that the Secretary of State should give a combined party for the Australian and Canadian Agents General. 2. I fully take Mr Wilford’s point about the need to limit calls...’
431. DESPATCH JOHNSTON TO STEWART: 13 May 1970; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 13 May 1970 Confidential The Monarchy in Australia I have the honour to submit some reflections on the position of the Monarchy in Australia in the light of the recent visit to this country of The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and...’
432. LETTER JOHNSTON TO TOMLINSON: 9 February 1971; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 9 February 1971 Confidential At a dinner party last week I had a rather disjointed conversation with Gough Whitlam, in which some points of interest emerged. 2. Whitlam said that there was now no opposition in the ALP to our joining the Common Market. When we...’
433. TELEGRAM JOHNSTON TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: 23 February 1971; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 23 February 1971 No. 275. Info Saving To Brisbane. Confidential Appointment of Australian State Governors The Queensland State Branch of the Australian Labor Party resolved at a recent triennial conference that the policy of the State Party be quote that the office of Governor be abolished...’
434. TELEGRAM,DOUGLAS-HOME TO JOHNSTON: 24 March 1971; ‘London, 24 March 1971 No. 359. Priority. Confidential Your telegram No. 275 of23 February.1 Appointment of Australian State Governors. 1. I fear there is not much guidance we can give that will be helpful. Situation under which State Governors are appointed on advice of UK Ministers and using Queen’s UK...’
435. MEMORANDUM PRITCHETT TO WALLER: 12 January 1972; ‘Australia House, London, 12 January 1972 No. 32 Anglo-Australian Relations (Your reference: 625/10/7) I offer the following comments on the Policy Planning Paper CP 12/71 of 1st December, 1971, on ‘Anglo-Australian Relations: Prospects and Initiatives’.1 2. I find the Paper’s chief weakness its failure to assemble and assess in a...’
436. LETTER OLIPHANT TO DOUGLAS-HOME: 26 June 1972; ‘Adelaide, 26 June 1972 Confidential I am deeply concerned by a recent policy statement made publicly by the Premier of this State. Mr. Dunstan1 has said that his Government will not in future make any recommendations for honours and awards by the Queen’s recognition of outstanding public service. Moreover, he...’
437. LETTER GRAHAM TO MOORE: 24 July 1972; ‘London, 24 July 1972 I enclose a copy of a letter the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has received from Sir Mark Oliphant, Governor of South Australia.2 His letter has been acknowledged and we are considering a substantive reply. You may wish to bring the letter to the attention of Her...’
438. DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS POLICY GUIDANCE PAPER: 28 August 1972; ‘Canberra, 28 August 1972 No. Ppp 40 (Final). Confidential **Anglo-Australian Relations: Prospects and Initiatives1 ** This paper is founded on the premise that our dealings with Great Britain would appear in recent years to have lost some of the warmth and closeness that previously characterised them. An examination of what...’
439. MINUTE LOOMES TO WALLER: 22 December 1972; ‘Canberra, 22 December 1972 Confidential Assignment of Powers to the Governor-General Following the Minister’s instructions we have asked the First Parliamentary Counsel (Mr Comans) to draft the necessary instruments to enable the Australian Government to ask the Queen to assign power to the Governor-General to accredit ambassadors. Counsel is working...’
440. MINUTE GREENHILL TO DOUGLAS-HOME: 19 January 1973; ‘London, 19 January 1973 Confidential CONFIDENTIAL Australian Attorney-General The officials accompanying Senator Murphy, the Australian Attorney-General,1 have now seen the Department. From what they have said, it looks very much as if Senator Murphy is going to be quite uncompromising on the question of the attention which we should give...’
441. LETTER GREENHILL TO JAMES: 25 January 1973; ‘London, 25 January 1973 Personal And Confidential 1. I think you would like to know a little bit more about the visit of Senator Murphy1 which, as we explained in our telegram No. 112, was not a success. 2. On arrival, he made one or two provocative statements to the...’
442. AUSTRALIA DAY BROADCAST BY WHITLAM: 26 January 1973; ‘Canberra, 26 January 1973 National Anthem During the election campaign, I undertook that the Labor Government would seek a new National Anthem for our country. I promised that the people of Australia would be invited to help choose the Anthem. On this Australia Day, it is appropriate that I tell...’
443. SUBMISSION NO. 102 GRASSBY TO CABINET: February 1973; ‘Canberra, February 1973 Confidential Grant of Australian Citizenship In line with the Government’s overriding objective of removing all divisions and discrimination within the Community, I propose that all the conditions and procedures to be met by people seeking to become Australian citizens should be exactly the same–whether the applicants are...’
444. LETTER WHITLAM TO ARMSTRONG: March 1973; ‘Canberra, undated [March 1973] Confidential I have adopted the practice of writing to Heads of Mission at the time they take up their appointments in order to provide an account of the Government’s views on Australia’s major interests and objectives in the country for which they are responsible. I discussed...’
445. MINUTE BY LINDELL: 20 March 1973; ‘Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, 20 March 1973 Legal Relations with the United Kingdom—Colonial Relics The matters listed below may be thought to represent the last remaining colonial links between Australia and the United Kingdom. Federal Application of (Imp.) Colonial Boundaries Act 1895 under which Australian boundaries may be altered by The...’
446. MINUTE BY SHANN: 23 March 1973; ‘Canberra, 23 March 1973 Confidential Record of Conversation with Sir Morrice James, High Commissioner: 1. Prime Minister’s Trip to Europe, 2. Non-Aligned Conference Sir Morrice called this morning at his request and we had an amiable gossip on a few matters not worth recording. Sir Morrice then raised the question...’
447. LETTER HEATH TO WHITLAM: 2 April 1973; ‘London, 2 April 1973 Confidential I am writing to tell you how much we are looking forward to seeing you here next month. The news of your visit has been very widely welcomed in this country—everyone is pleased that the Prime Minister of Australia is coming to London so soon...’
448. PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT BRIEF FOR PRIME MINISTER’S: 1 April 1973; ‘Canberra, April 1973 National Anthem Your Australia Day broadcast on the National Anthem1 was cabled to Australia House on 26 January, and a copy was forwarded to the Palace. Background Your Government’s decision to seek an alternative anthem is the culmination of a long history of pressure, exerted by a...’
449. DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION BRIEF FOR PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT: 5 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 5 April 1973 Proposed Amendments to Citizenship Act—Including Oath of Allegiance Existing Law The present Citizenship Act enables the Minister to grant Australian citizenship (by ‘registration’) to citizens of other Commonwealth countries and South African, Pakistan and Irish citizens, after only 12 months’ residence. 2. Citizens of Commonwealth countries,...’
450. DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS BRIEF FOR PRIME MINISTER’S: 6 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 6 April 1973 Brief for Discussions with The Queen—I. Letters of Credence, 2. Agreement A draft Instrument of Assignment by The Queen of certain powers to the Governor-General, including the power to sign Letters of Credence, is attached as Annex A. It was prepared by the First Parliamentary Counsel...’
451. PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT (HONOURS BRANCH) BRIEF FOR PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO LONDON: 10 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 10 April 1973 The Royal Style and Titles 1. The Prime Minister has indicated that he wishes The Royal Style and Titles Act 1953 amended to delete references to the words ‘by the Grace of God’, ‘of the United Kingdom’, and ‘Defender of the Faith’. 2. The Queen’s Royal...’
452. LETTER GARRETT TO BUNTING: 12 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 12 April 1973 I attach for your information copy of what I think you will find to be a self-explanatory minute I have sent to the Prime Minister on the subject of wording used on Australian coins. The Prime Minister did not mention to me the particular reason for...’
453. LETTER WHITLAM TO HEATH: 12 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 12 April 1973 Following our telephone conversation on 24 January your High Commissioner in Canberra gave me a message in writing from you on the subject of appeals to the Privy Council from Australian Courts and related matters. I must first give you my apology for not getting in...’
454. MINUTE FLANAGAN TO WHITLAM: 16 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 16 April 1973 Royal Style and Titles The Queen is Head of State of the following nine countries where she is represented by Governors-General Australia Barbados Canada Fiji Jamaica Malta Mauritius New Zealand Trinidad and Tobago The words ‘Elizabeth the Second’ appear in the Royal Style and Titles Act...’
455. PAPER BY HARDERS: 16 April 1973; ‘Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, 16 April 1973 Abolition of Appeals to the Privy Council A. The Present Position Appeals from the High Court, other Federal Courts and Territory Supreme Courts In 1968 the Australian Parliament enacted the Privy Council (Limitation of Appeals) Act. Section 3 of the Act limits appeals from...’
456. LETTER BUNTING TO CHARTERIS: 18 April 1973; ‘Canberra, 18 April 1973 I write to add background for your preparations for the discussion the Prime Minister will be having with Her Majesty. The subjects of discussion seem likely, as I understand it, to include possible changes in the Royal Style and Titles, in coinage, in the designation of...’
457. FILE NOTE BY BUNTING: 22 April 1973; ‘London, 22 April 1973 Confidential Prime Minister–Queen Discussions The Prime Minister telephoned me from Windsor on 21st April, 10.00 a.m. He referred to his discussions with the Queen on the previous evening as having been good and very friendly. In brief the outcome was as follows:– (a) Royal style and...’
458. LETTER CHARTERIS TO BUNTING: 24 April 1973; ‘Windsor Castle, 24 April 1973 Confidential At our meeting on Saturday, 21 April, we exchanged notes on our joint understanding of what had been agreed between The Queen and the Prime Minister the previous evening and I promised to set this down on paper. Here it is. (a) The Queens...’
459. LETTER CHARTERIS TO BUNTING: 24 April 1973; ‘Windsor Castle, 24 April 1973 In another letter1 I have set down a record of our conversation on Saturday afternoon about the matters discussed between The Queen and the Prime Minister. You will no doubt let me know if you agree with it. Will you also please let me know...’
460. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE RECORD OF MEETING WITH WHITLAM: 24 April 1973; ‘London, 24 April 1973 Confidential Constitutional Issues 1. Mr Whitlam explained his general intention that Australia should be seen to be fully independent internationally and mentioned relevant decisions reached in his discussions with The Queen. He then referred to the question of appeals from Australia to the Privy Council, which...’
461. PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT BY WHITLAM: 1 May 1973; ‘Canberra, 1 May 1973 The Queen and the Privy Council I shall later be seeking leave to make a brief, general statement about the visit overseas from which I returned yesterday. I first wish to make a statement on certain legal and constitutional matters arising from my discussions in Britain....’
462. RECORD BY HEATH OF A MEETING WITH WHITLAM ON 24 APRIL: 8 May 1973; ‘Cowes, 8 May 19731 Confidential I had a talk for two hours with Mr Whitlam, beginning at 5 o’clock on Tuesday, 24 April and finishing just after 7 pm when he went off to change before returning for dinner soon after 8 pm. No-one else was present at the talk....’
463. LETTER REECE TO WHITLAM: 11 May 1973; ‘Hobart, 11 May 1973 The Tasmanian Government has noted your recently announced intention to introduce legislation to request and consent to the enactment of legislation by the British Parliament abolishing appeals to the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty’s Privy Council in all matters arising under State jurisdiction. This announcement has...’
464. LETTER HARDERS TO BUNTING: 16 May 1973; ‘Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, 16 May 1973 Visit of State Premiers to London—Sea-Bed and Other Matters I refer to our discussion on 15 May concerning the steps being taken by the States to petition Her Majesty to refer the question of sea-bed rights to the Privy Council. 2. Since our discussion,...’
465. MINUTE GRATTAN TO HICKMAN: 12 June 1973; ‘London, 12 June 1973 Australia Constitutional Issues The Secretary of State has seen your revised brief and Lord Bridges’2 letter of 7 June. The Secretary of State has commented:– ‘I find it very difficult to accept the departmental view.3 The essence of a federation is a division of legislative powers...’
466. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE RECORD OF MEETING WITH AUSTRALIAN STATE PREMIERS AND MINJSTERS: 12 June 1973; ‘London, 12 June 1973 Confidential 1. Sir A Douglas-Home said that the last thing the British Government wanted to do was to become involved in a row between the Federal and State Governments, particularly in a way which could cause embarrassment to the Sovereign. We had formed no firm view...’
467. MINUTE BRIDGES TO HEATH: 15 June 1973; ‘London, 15 June 1973 Confidential Australia: Constitutional Issues You will wish to know where we stand following the visit of the State Premiers.1 The brief for the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary’s meeting with the Premiers was revised in the light of your comments. Sir Alec Douglas-Home was not satisfied with...’
468. LETTER WHITLAM TO HEATH: 20 June 1973; ‘Canberra, 20 June 1973 I was pleased to receive your letter of 6 June regarding the abolition of appeals to the Privy Council and the Tasmanian and Queensland Petitions on certain Australian sea-bed issues. Thank you for advising me of the approaches that were being made in London by State...’
469. MEMORANDUM DOUGLAS-HOME FOR CABINET DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMLTTEE: 16 July 1973; ‘London, 16 July 1973 Confidential Australia: States’ Petitions on Offshore Rights Background 1. The division of sea-bed mining rights between the Australian Commonwealth and the Australian States has been a controversial issue in Australia for some years. A Sea and Submerged Lands Bill 1973, which would vest in the Commonwealth...’
470. MEMORANDUM, DOUGLAS-HOME FOR CABINET DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE: 16 July 1973; ‘London, 16 July 1973 Confidential Australia: Abolition of Appeals and References to the Privy Council Background 1. A Privy Council Appeals Abolition Bill (Annex A)1 was tabled in the Australian House of Representatives on 31 May. In it the Commonwealth Government seek, in reliance on existing powers of the Commonwealth...’
471. MEMORANDUM DOUGLAS-HOME FOR CABINET DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE: 16 July 1973; ‘London, 16 July 1973 Confidential Australian Constitutional Issues My colleagues may like a very short note summarising the issues before us on DOP(73)58 and 59.1 They are both legal and political. I understand that the Law Officers are circulating a separate note on the legal issues which are in dispute....’
472. LETTER BUNTING TO QIARTERIS: 10 September 1973; ‘Canberra, 10 September 1973 I promised to follow up with the Prime Minister the discussion he and you had in Ottawa about Victorian Order awards by the Queen when she comes in October and February. What the Prime Minister asks me to say is that he feels he should ask...’
473. LETTER CHARTERIS TO BRIMELOW: 23 January 1974; ‘Buckingham Palace, 23 January 1974 Confidential As you know, The Queen has been advised by both Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and her Australian Ministers not to refer the petitions from the States of Queensland and Tasmania about the sea-bed adjacent to their respective State, to the Judicial...’
474. LETTER BRIMELOW TO CHARTERIS: 18 February 1974; ‘London, 18 February 1974 Confidential Thank you for your letter of 23 January.1 I This reply deals exclusively with Australian matters and I trust that it will reach you in good time before your arrival in Australia with The Queen on 27 February. We are also considering the question of...’
475. MINUTE BY HARDERS: 1 March 1974; ‘Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, 1 March 1974 Confidential Sir John Bunting rang me this morning to say that the Prime Minister wished to see a number of officers on the question of a new Australian Honours system. I then attended almost immediately on the Prime Minister together with Sir John Bunting,...’
476. DRAFT CABINET MINUTE BY BOWEN: March 1974; ‘Canberra, March 1974 An Australian System of Awards In December 1971 the ALP Federal Executive resolved that: ‘This Executive interprets the Platform to mean that no knighthoods, peerages, CBE’s, MBE’s or similar titles should be conferred. As from 2 January 1972, no recommendation for such honours should be made by...’
477. PRESS STATEMENT BY WHITLAM: 18 April 1974; ‘Canberra, 18 April 1974 No. 229—Australia’s National Anthem ‘Advance Australia Fair’ will be played as the Australian National Anthem at this year’s official Anzac Day ceremony in Canberra. The Prime Minister announced this in Canberra today. Mr Whitlam said he had asked the Minister for Defence to instruct the Armed...’
478. LETTER HAMER TO WHITLAM: 20 April 1974; ‘Melbourne, 20 April 1974 Australia’s National Anthem I have your telex message of 18th April, 1974, containing the text of your press release of the same date, which sets out your Government’s policy on the playing of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ as the national anthem, and seeking the co-operation of the...’
479. MINUTE BY CURLE: 6 May 1974; ‘London, 6 May 1974 Confidential Australian States’ Honours 1. When both the Commonwealth Government and States’ Governments were recommending for honours, States’ Governors sent to the Governor-General copies of their recommendations for honours (though they maintained that this was a courtesy, not a constitutional obligation). The object of this arrangement...’
480. NOTE FOR RECORD BY JAMES: 23 May 1974; ‘Canberra, 23 May 1974 Confidential 1. The Minister of State for Defence (Mr Rodgers)1 saw the Prime Minister yesterday, 22 May, accompanied by myself. 2. As already reported to London (Canberra telegram No 463, paragraph 7), Mr Whitlam began the conversation by referring to the Constitutional points which he said...’
481. MEMORANDUM, CALLAGHAN FOR CABINET DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE: 30 May 1974; ‘London, 30 May 1974 Confidential Australia: Abolition of Appeals and References to the Privy Council 1. A Privy Council Appeals Abolition Bill (referred to below as the Australian Bill) was tabled in the Australian House of Representatives last summer. In it the Australian (Commonwealth) Government seek, in reliance on existing...’
482. MINUTE, HARDERS TO MURPHY: 11 July 1974; ‘Attorney—General’s Department, Canberra, 11 July 1974 Confidential Privy Council Appeals Abolition Bill Attached is a copy of a message concerning the Privy Council Appeals Abolition Bill which Mr Aiers, of the United Kingdom High Commission, delivered to me on 8 July.1 2. The message is discouraging. 3. It says in...’
483. MINUTE MENZIES TO HARDERS: 12 July 1974; ‘Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, 12 July 1974 Confidential Privy Council Appeals—British Note I was reminded by Mr Emerton2 today that a note is due from us concerning the message received from the British. He expressed the strong personal view that we should continue to try to deal with the form of...’
484. LETTER, OLIPHANT TO BURBURY: 17 July 1974; ‘Adelaide, 26 July I974 Thank you for your letter of 17th July, 1974, regarding the State Governor’s personal flag. Since assuming office, I have given much thought to the question of what flag should be flown by the Governor of South Australia, both on Government House and on the official...’
485. CABINET DECISION NO. 2672 (LEG): 10 September 1974; ‘Canberra, 10 September 1974 Confidential Without Submission—Privy Council Appeals—Possible Referendum During the course of its consideration of the Legislation Program for the 1974 Budget Sittings, the Prime Minister advised the Committee that owing to difficulties that had arisen in settling provisions acceptable to the British Prime Minister, he had formed...’
486. LETTER, JAMES TO WILFORD: 18 October 1974; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 18 October 1974 Personal And Confidential UK/ Australian Constitutional Relations: Mr Whitlam’s Dinner for HRH Prince Charles 1. Last Sunday evening, 13 October, my wife and I dined with the Prime Minister and Mrs Whitlam to meet HRH The Prince of Wales. The Attorney—General and Mrs...’
487. MINUTE, WILFORD TO BRIMELOW: 22 October 1974; ‘London, 22 October 1974 Confidential UK/Australian Constitutional Problems 1. I attach a copy of a Personal and Confidential letter which I have received from Sir Morrice James about a dinner given by Mr Whitlam for the Prince of Wales.1 Personally I think it was a bit ‘off’ for Mr Whitlam...’
488. LETTER, CHARTERIS TO ACLAND: 25 October 1974; ‘Buckingham Palace, 25 October 1974 Personal And Confidential Thank you very much for your letter of 24th October and for having sent me Morrice James’ account of a discussion after dinner, which Mr Whitlam gave in honour of Prince Charles, at which UK/ Australian Constitutional matters were discussed.2 I showed...’
489. DRAFT MINUTE, HUNT FOR PRIME MINISTER: 27 November 1974; ‘Cabinet Office, London, 27 November 1974 Confidential Visit of Mr Whitlam I attach a proposed outline of objectives for your discussion with Mr Whitlam on 19th–20th December, together with an assessment of his objectives. I would suggest that at your first meeting it would be useful to concentrate discussion on...’
490. DESPATCH, JAMES TO CALLAGHAN: 2 December 1974; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 2 December 1974 Confidential Mr Whitlam’s Discussions in London: 19–20 December 1974: Part 1: Political 1. My despatches of 27th and 28th May about the economic, foreign and defence policies of Mr Whitlam’s Government were sent in preparation for the visit which he then planned to...’
491. LETTER, CHARTERIS TO BRIDGES: 6 December 1974; ‘Buckingham Palace, 6 December 1974 Personal And Confidential When Mr. Whitlam lunches with The Queen on 20th December, I suspect he will speak to Her Majesty about the establishment of a comprehensive system of Australian Honours and Awards. Mr. Emerton, from the office of the Prime Minister in Canberra, came...’
492. FCO BRLEF AMV(74)15: 10 December 1974; ‘London, 10 December 1974 Confidential Talks Between the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Australia, 19 and 20 December 1974—Australian Honours Points to Make 1. If Mr Whitlam says that he proposes to establish an Australian Honours system , the Prime Minister should say that this is a matter...’
493. BRIEFING NOTES BY EMERTON FOR PRIME MINISTER’S DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON: 11 December 1974; ‘Canberra, 11 December 1974 Confidential Channels of Communication between The States and The Queen Background In his letter to Mr Wilson of 6 June 1974 the Prime Minister wrote as follows:– ‘There are two matters. The first concerns relations in the Queen’s Australian realms between the Australian Government and the...’
494. FCO BRIEF AMV(74)J4.: 12 December 1974; ‘London, 12 December 1974 Confidential Talks between the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Australia, 19 and 20 December 1974-Constitutional Issues Points To Make United Kingdom Policy 1. The United Kingdom Government have no wish to continue to be involved in Australian constitutional matters. We should gladly relinquish our...’
495. LETTER, SWEENEY TO BEVAN: 16 December 1974; ‘Agent General for Queensland, London, 16 December 1974 The attached is the text of a Press Statement issued today in Brisbane, Queensland by the Premier, the Honourable J Bjelke-Petersen, M.L.A.2 I have been instructed by my Premier to bring this Statement to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office....’
496. SPEECH BY WHITLAM IN LONDON: 19 December 1974; ‘Mansion House,1 19 December 1974 I suppose I would be less than human if I did not feel some sense of awe—even some slight trepidation—at the prospect of addressing this august gathering in this historic hall. An Australian Prime Minister who comes to London is made very much aware of...’
497. RECORD BY WRIGHT OF MEETING OF PRIME MINISTERS: 20 December 1974; ‘London, 20 December 1974 Confidential Australian Constitutional Issues After a brief introduction on other matters (recorded separately), Mr Whitlam said that he wished to raise some matters which were frankly of considerable political moment to him. These were not however matters of purely personal concern, nor were they solely relevant...’
498. LETTER, CHARTERLS TO YEEND: 30 December 1974; ‘Buckingham Palace, 30 December 1974 Secret When we met at Windsor on Boxing Day I promised to let you have a letter summarising The Queen’s views on Mr Whitlam’s proposal to establish an Australian system of Honours on the lines of the Order of Canada. Her Majesty considers that this...’
499. LETTER, CHARTERIS TO WRIGHT: 31 December 1974; ‘Buckingham Palace, 31 December 1974 Secret When Mr Whitlam had luncheon with The Queen on 20th December, as was expected, he raised with Her Majesty the question of an Australian system of Honours. It had been arranged that I should meet Mr Whitlam on Boxing Day to tie up any...’
500. RECORD BY HARDERS: 3 January 1975; ‘Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, 3 January 1975 Confidential The Prime Minister’s Discussions in London Concerning Constitutional Matters, 20 and 24 December 1974 The Prime Minister had discussions with the United Kingdom Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the United Kingdom Attorney-General on 20 December 1974.1...’
501. LETTER, DALES TO WRIGHT: 24 January 1975; ‘London, 24 January 1975 Confidential I enclose a draft message2 which the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary recommends the Prime Minister should send Mr Whitlam covering a number of aspects of Australian Constitutional matters. At their meeting on 20 December,3 the Prime Minister undertook to consider further Mr Whitlam’s suggestion that...’
502. MESSAGE, WILSON TO WHLTLAM: 26 January 1975; ‘London, 26 January 1975 Confidential At our meeting on 20 December,2 I undertook to consider further the suggestion you made that an Australian ‘panel’ of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council might be set up, which would be composed of Judges of the High Court of Australia who were...’
503. LETTER, CHARTERIS TO BRIMELOW: 10 February 1975; ‘Buckingham Palace, 10 February 1975 Confidential My dear Tom As is often the case with Mr Whitlam, matters concerning the institution of an Australian system of Awards are moving with break neck speed. An announcement about its institution will be made on 19th February.1 You should know that Mr Whitlam...’
504. LETTER, HAY TO CLARK: 17 March 1975; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 17 March 1975 Confidential Privy Council Appeals Abolition Bill 1975 1. You will already have received my letter of 27 February to say that the above Bill2 had been rejected by the Senate on 25 February, and I understand also that Brian Barder3 arranged to send...’
505. STATEMENT BY KERR: 11 November 1975; ‘Government House, Canberra, 11 November 1975 Statement by the Governor-General1 I have given careful consideration to the constitutional crisis and have made some decisions which I wish to explain. Summary It has been necessary for me to find a democratic and constitutional solution to the current crisis which will permit...’
506. MINUTE BY BEVAN: 18 November 1975; ‘London, 18 November 1975 Confidential The Australian Constitutional Crisis 1. Ministers may wish to be aware what effect the action of the Governor-General of Australia in withdrawing Mr Whitlam’s commission as Prime Minister may have on constitutional relations between Britain and Australia. 2. The Governor-General of Australia represents Her Majesty...’
507. DESPATCH, JAMES TO CALLAGHAN: 20 November 1975; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 20 November 1975 Confidential The Australian Constitutional Crisis, 1975 ‘The evil of two co-equal Houses of distinct natures is obvious. Each House can stop all legislation, and yet some legislation may be necessary …. In both the American and the Swiss Constitutions the Upper House has...’
508. LETTER, JAMES TO BEVAN: 20 December 1975; ‘British High Commission, Canberra, 20 December 1975 Confidential Footnotes to the Constitutional Crisis 1. On Thursday, 11 December the Governor-General and Lady Kerr kindly asked my wife and me (and my daughter Laura, who is staying with us over Christmas) to tea at Government House in Canberra. In the main...’

Documents on Australian Foreign Policy

Volume 27: Australia and the United Kingdom, 1960–1975

Total

Earliest date

Latest date

Explore