Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

1. The decision to hold Peace Conference on July 29th though
belated is satisfactory. I believe that but for our efforts in
pressing for a conference of belligerents-efforts sustained since
August of last year-there would have been no conference at all.
Although our interests in the Pacific are primary yet they cannot
be separated altogether from our interest in Europe and it is
necessary to participate actively in the European Conference not
only because of its importance in itself but as a means of
ensuring very full participation in the conference which will deal
with Japan. Moreover, questions of veto and procedure for the
Japanese Conference will probably follow the precedent of the
European Conference.
2. I shall finish my term of office as first Chairman of the
Atomic Energy Commission early in the week commencing Monday 15th.
I have worked unceasingly and driven the Commission hard in order
to get the machinery fully working before I hand over to my
successor. Both here and in connexion with the Security Council
work I think Australia's contribution is universally recognized as
being amongst the foremost.
3. It is desirable to take a decision now whether I should go to
Paris for Peace Conference.
4. That depends largely upon your assessment of the position and
everything must be looked at in relation to the Government
position in the coming election. Success for you at the election I
regard as essential in the best interest of Australia. In many
ways I would feel far happier to come home. I greatly miss the
comradeship of work together particularly at Canberra. However, on
the whole my judgment is that as my duties compel me to stay here
until probably the 18th instant for the purpose of the Atomic
Commission, the Far Eastern Commission, the Security Council, and
bases negotiation it would be unwise to leave here particularly at
the very time when delegations are making for Paris. If so, I
shall at least supervise the delegation work for the first few
weeks of the Conference.
5. I think I can make a useful contribution at Paris, especially
as our advisers will need supervision and co-ordination.
6. I have just received a telegram from Dunk making some
suggestion as to the possible composition of the team. [1] It will
be essential for me to have additional advisers as I have been
entirely without the assistance of anyone fresh from Australia
since Burton's return. [2] The burden has been heavy indeed.
7. I should be grateful for your views as soon as possible. [3]