[Australia Post telegram paper with the phrase 'AUSTRALIAN POST OFFICE TELEGRAM' printed in repeat along the left and right margins, perpendicular to the main body text.]

[Red tab at top of page, with white text reads:] URGENT TG54

CAD 209= VHTB284 =

[HO]BART GPO TAS 67 4.58P

[Stamp in blue ink] CENTRAL REGISTRY

JAN 2[,] 10 18 AM '73

FILE NO. [end of stamp.]

[Stamp in purple ink, a square with purple text, next to the blue stamp reads:] TELEGRAPHS

21 DEC 1972

CANBERRA, A.C.T. [end of stamp.]

[Circular stamp with time numbers around the edge and lettering in the middle. It overlaps with the other stamps. The text reads:] 22 DEC 1972

Prime Minister's Office Canberra [end of stamp.]

URGENT ... HON E G WHITLAM

PRIME MINISTER

CANBERRA ACT

[Handwritten in blue ink:] 305

GREATLY DISTURBED AND PERSONALLY EMBARRASSED BY MELBOURNE AGE PRESS REPORT CONCERNING YOUR LAKE PEDDER LETTER TO ME CONTINUANCE OF SUCH PUBLICITY MAY LEAVE ME WITH NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE BUT REFUSE REQUEST

AM ANXIOUS AVOID THIS AS INFORMATION WE CAN SUPPLY SHOULD PROVE ['R' and 'O' handwritten in blue ink] CONCLUSIVELY THAT TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT HAS ACTED RESPONSIBLY IN THE MATTER

. . ERIC REECE PREMIER OF TASMANIA 21/12/72

21/12/72 [crossed out] 5

[Handwritten in blue ink] 'Copy to Dept. 22/12

Copy Mr Spigelman 22/12

[Stamp in blue ink reads:] seen by Prime Minister

on 28 Dec 1972 [end of stamp.]

[handwritten in black ink:] 5.4P MR