With reference to your letter of March 8th [1] I beg to enquire
whether you have had an opportunity to discuss with Mr. justice
Kirby the question of the resumption of trade and shipping with
Indonesia. I understand that shortly after his return to Australia
conversations took place between him, as Chairman of the
Stevedoring Industry Commission, and overseas shipping interests
in the course of which judge Kirby did not conceal his
condemnation of the present discrimination of the Dutch flag in
the non-Indonesian trade. If I am correctly informed he also
expressed, on that occasion, his personal view that the time has
arrived for the complete lifting of the shipping ban.

I should therefore be grateful if you would inform me as to the
result of your conversations.