Cablegram SAC24425 [COLOMBO], 6 October 1945, 6.47 a.m.
PERSONAL SECRET
Lieutenant Governor General Van Mook has told me that strikers in Australia are preventing the loading and sailing of ships des[t]ined for Batavia.
2. The situation regarding relief stores in N.E.I. is serious and I shall be very grateful for your personal assistance in ensuring the sailing of mercy ships carrying relief supplies which form an essential part of our re-occupation programme. I must emphasise that there will be very serious consequences if there is a protracted delay in the loading and departure of these ships.
3. I should like to make it clear that this appeal refers to mercy ships only and I have naturally no wish to concern myself with the loading of ships with arms and ammunition for the Dutch Government.
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[AA : A1838/2, 401/3/6/1/3, i]