Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Your 363. [1]

We note your agreement of proposal for a joint approach. We agree
that preliminary discussions should be held before formal
conference. At the same time care should be taken lest other
members of the United Nations might feel that our point of view
had finally crystallised before the calling of a conference.
2. Our immediately following telegram [2] contains the text of a
summary of our proposal which we suggest should be used as the
basis of the joint approach to the United States.
3. We agree it is desirable that the Governing Body of the I.L.O.
should be in some tangible way associated with the Conference and
perhaps with some of the preparations for the conference. We hope
that your representatives on the Governing Body will assist this
objective at the meeting on 25th January. At the same time we
consider it unwise for the Governing Body to be informed of our
proposal before the United States is informed.
4. After the United States Government has signified its attitude
we agree that the Russian, French, Chinese and perhaps other
Governments should be notified prior to any public announcement.
5. We suggest Monday 22nd January be tentatively fixed as the date
of approach to the United States. Meanwhile we agree that
Canadian, South African and Indian Governments should be informed
that the approach will be made by the United Kingdom, Australian
and New Zealand Governments and that we earnestly desire their
active support.