[A slip of paper is attached at the top of the page with ‘URGENT MATTER’ printed in large red text.]

[Letterhead in blue ink with the NSW coat of arms and the text ‘PREMIER’S DEPARTMENT. SYDNEY.’]

[Stamped in green ink:] 24 AUG 1951

[Stamped in purple ink:] RECEIVED 29 AUG 1951

[Stamped in purple ink ‘PRIME MINISTER’S DEPT.’, ’31 AUG 1951’, with handwritten reference number ‘743/2.’]

[Stamped in purple ink:] SEEN BY PRIME MINISTER

Dear Sir,

I am writing in reference to your letter of 3rd July, 1951, 743/2, regarding a proposal to hold a Conference of Federal and State Ministers responsible for Native Welfare for the purpose of discussing the [underlined in pencil] question of the welfare and advancement of the native peoples of Australia [end underline], and to consider proposals for Commonwealth-State co-operation in this field.

The proposal is endorsed by my colleague, the Chief Secretary, who has expressed the hope that the Conference will eventuate and that further conferences will be arranged at appropriate intervals.

The Chief Secretary considers that much good should come from an interchange of views and discussions on problems affecting aborigines, and has pointed out that in this State the principal aim is to assist the aborigines in every possible way to prepare for their assimilation with the white community as acceptable, responsible citizens.

My colleague is in agreement with the suggestion that the Commonwealth Minister for Territories should preside over the proposed Conference.

Yours faithfully,

[Handwritten signature:] James McGirr

Premier.

[Addressed to:] The Right Honourable

the Prime Minister of the

Commonwealth of Australia,

CANBERRA. [underlined] A.C.T. 4S.