[Handwritten note in top left corner, faded and partially damaged, possibly 'Migration Policy'.]

[Stamp with the text 'EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RECORDS', handwritten reference number '47/554/2/1-26', and illegible handwritten signature.]

COPY: MS

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Prime Minister,

CANBERRA.

3rd November, 1943.

No. 41.

Dear Sir,

I desire to refer to your confidential circular despatch D. No.24 of 2nd April, 1943, on the subject of post-war migration.

The questions raised in the despatch and the enclosures forwarded therewith have been carefully considered by His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia [handwritten vertical line in the margin for emphasis begins] and I wish to assure you that the Government is fully alive to the vital importance of greatly increasing the population of this country, preferably by British stock, [end emphasis] and of the necessity for full co-operation with the United Kingdom Government in the matter of setting up suitable machinery both in Australia and in Great Britain for the purpose of ensuring that any approved scheme of migration of British ex-Servicemen and women to Australia, as well as other British migrants, will be successful.

The Government has appointed a committee to report to full Cabinet on certain questions relating to British and alien migration, including reciprocal social insurance schemes.

When the committee's report has been received and dealt with by the Government I shall communicate with you again in further detail on the various matters mentioned in your despatch.

Yours faithfully,

(Sgd) John Curtin.

Prime Minister.

[Addressed to:] The Right Honourable

The Secretary of State

For Dominion Affairs.