[Right margin shaded with red, whole length of page.]
[Header, red ink, reads:] DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. CABLEGRAM. 
[Large, bold, red text:] SECRET.

I.3094.
SC312.
Dated[:] 25th January, 1944.
2040.
Received[:] 26th January, 1944.

FEO:VP
DECODE FROM - 
Australian Government
Trade Commissioner, 
[underlined] S I M L A.

[stamp, reads:] EXTERNAL AFFIARS RECORDS. Checked by [handwritten:] 44/554/2/1-6. Indexed by [handwritten signature, illegible.]

3166.

Private members/ resolution listed for Indian Legislative Assembly February 15th expressed dissatisfaction at the appointment of an Australian as Governor of Bengal and adds 'India does not tolerate appointment of a Dominion administrator as [sic] long as such Dominions follow the closed door policy towards the Indians".

I feel that you should be informed of this resolution as the debate resulting from it may be given wide publicity. It would seem appropriate that this would provide suitable opportunity [sic] for explanation of the real situation.

2. Would the Australian Government consider - 
(a) sending considered statement to the Government of India direct, or
(b) should I supply with the Australian Government' approval a statement to the appropriate Indian member of the Viceroy' Council, who will reply, setting out the present poaition [sic] with relation to the antry [sic] if Indians to Australia. 
[Symbol indicating new list.]
(a) wives and children of Indian domiciled in Australia, 
(b) merchants, 
(c) students,
(d) tourists, 
(e) servants, details of which were supplied to me by the Department of Interior under [illegible] dated June 10th, 1937.

3. This statement has not been generally publicised in India for obvious reasons but used only personal explanations and to answer specific enquires as raised. In every case with which I have been concerned the statement has given satisfaction.

4. My inclination is to let the matter rest but on the other hand, the impression will persist that the door is entirely closed if the statements based on [illegible]India during debates are allowed to pass unanswered.

5. I suggest in any statement sent to [illegible] avoid the word "native, asiatic" which give offence here.

COPY TO – 
MIN. & DEPT. INTERIOR
[illegible.]
27.1.44.

[Handwritten note covering typed text on bottom half of page has a line drawn through it. Illegible.]