No, 241.
Diplomatic service;     British:     Australia 162//u/4o
V
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
March 11th, 1940.
My Lord,
Kith reference to Your Lordship's
*S       despatch No. 122 (T 867/134/384) of the 5th
February, I have the honour to report that on the
5th ]»iarch the Kight Honourable K.G. Casey presented
his Letter   of credence as Australian Minister to
the United States to President Roosevelt- The
texts of Mr. Casey's speech on this occasion and
_ of the President's reply are enclosed herein.
2. I also have the honour to transmit a copy
_ of circular instructions issued to Consular Officers
under my superintendence on the subject of Mr. Casey's
appointment.
3. The establishment of the Australian Legation
has entailed termination of Mr. Officer's appointment
as Australian Counsellor at His Majesty's i-inbassy. I
am very glad to have this opportunity of putting on
record my warm appreciation of Mr. Officer's services
during the time that he has been attached to the ifcibassy.
In addition to performing his special duties connected
with Australia, Mr. Officer has always given ungrudging
and invaluable assistance in the general work of the
Embassy and the many contacts which he formed in
Washington and elsewhere have been most useful. Since
FRHM:AR:NT the/
The ftight Honourable,
The Viscount Halifax, K. Q.,
etc.,      etc., etc
3
-2-
the outbreak of war Mr# Officer has rendered assis-
tance in our war activities which has been particularly
valuable in a number of directions and his advtce and
knowledge of local conditions have been of the greatest
service to me.       I am sure that my predecessor would
endorse my views, and I ara glad to think that though
Mr. officer has now left the .'labasuy, he is still
stationed in Washington and that I can therefore still
benefit from his adfloe.
I have the honour to be,
with the highest respect,
i;y Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble servant,