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Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister, to Lord Cranborne, U.K. Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

Cablegram 676 30 December 1940,

SECRET

Reference telegram 118 to Foreign Office from Consul-General, Batavia. [1] In view of inauguration of Darwin-Dilli air service and authentic reports of Japanese encroachment and establishment of Japanese broadcasting station in Portuguese Timor, His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia would welcome the appointment of a British Consular representative at Dilli. Would be glad to be informed of your views on Consul- General’s proposal.

MENZIES

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1 This is an incorrect reference to H.F.C. Walsh’s cablegram 188 of 10 December, which was repeated to Canberra as a savingram and received on 18 December. It reported that Japan intended to establish a consulate at Dili in 1941 and suggested that a British consular representative should also be stationed there. See file AA:A1608, J41/1/9, i.

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[AA:A981, AUSTRALIA 248]