[Page 114]
[Printed letterhead]
Defence Central Administration
W175/2/10
Commonwealth of Australia
Department of Defence
Melbourne. 26th Oct. 14.
Secret
To the Secretary,
Department of External Affairs.
In reply to yours of the 15th inst., No. 14/19458, asking what arrangements have been made up to the present regarding facilities for shipping to proceed to any of the captured ports previously in enemy territory in the Pacific, I beg to inform you that shipping flying the British Flag is allowed to proceed to Rabaul and Frederick Wilhelmshafen. The Administrator at Rabaul probably issues permits to vessels to go to other ports.
Arrangements are now in progress for occupying Nauru.
The legal position with regard to opening up trade with other Islands is now under consideration of the Crown Law Officers.
Presumably Samoa is opened for trade, but all matters relating to Samoa have been dealt with by the New Zealand Government.
In all probability a small expedition will shortly cruise round the whole of the Islands, taking formal possession, establishing Government, trade &c. and reporting on Naval and other conditions.
The Minister desires that the question