Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Your 30. [1] BASES.
1. Regarding discussions in Washington the latest information is
that original intentions have been abandoned. This appears to be
due to the inability of the United States to establish a firm case
on sovereignty and further to their lack of final or considered
opinions regarding bases.
2. This information resolves your desire and I will now pursue
this question from the angle of discussion taking place between
the United Kingdom and Dominions for a common policy before any
talks with the United States of America.
3. United States Officials have indicated to Fraser their wish to
discuss the New Zealand proposal to bring Western Samoa under
trusteeship. I talked to Fraser last night before he left for
Washington and he proposes to meet United States Officials and
indicated New Zealand's view that Western Samoa will be brought
under trusteeship but until New Zealand has had time to consider
steps to be taken to this end no firm discussions should take
place. United Kingdom Representatives will not be present at this
meeting.