Cablegram 435 20 August 1940,
External Affairs Officer in London [1] has discussed informally with the United Kingdom authorities the question of effect of war with Italy on Anglo-Italian Treaty of Commerce and Navigation of 1883 [2] We understand that view taken is that position of pre-war treaties will be regulated in the peace settlement. While this may be so in general, our view is that this treaty might receive immediate consideration. For some years we have been anxious to secure abrogation of treaty which has always been source of embarrassment causing political difficulties and conferring no benefits so far as Australia is concerned.
Whatever the course of the war, the abrogation of treaty will in our view not be prejudicial to the United Kingdom or Australia, while it will have the advantage of causing Italy to raise it at peace settlement.
We would ask that some positive action be taken now to ensure abrogation and not merely suspension of the treaty. If the United Kingdom Government does not feel disposed to take such action our view is that in the light of changed circumstances a separate notice of abrogation should be given in respect of the Commonwealth.
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1 A. T. Stirling.
2 The Anglo-Italian Treaty of Commerce and Navigation was signed at Rome on 15 June 1883 and ratified by the various Australian colonies in 1883 and 1884. It provided for most-favoured-nation treatment between the contracting parties, freedom of commerce and navigation and reciprocal privileges in administration, residence and civil and commercial rights.
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[AA:A3196, 1940, 0.5883]