i r r 21 c 00 c PRHMsHS H.2. There is one point which arises in connection with the signature by the Dominion Governments of the "Joint Declaration" which ought perhaps to be cleared up,and that is how the consent and approval of the Now Zealand Government and of the Government of India (supposing India does signj is to be obtained. As regards Hew Zealand the Embassy is, strictly speaking, still responsible for Hew Zealand diplomatic affairs here since, although the establishment of a separate Hew Zealand Legation has been decided on,the Hew Zealand Minister has not yet arrived. On the other hand, Mr. Lang- stone is attending these meetings on behalf of New Zealand and it might therefore be more jtactful to suggest that he should communicate Idireot v/ith his Government on the subject rather Hthan that the Embassy should. S^^^e*^^ the situation as regards India is rather different and I imagine that even though Sir G. Bajpai may be attending the meetings and may perhaps eventually sign on behalf of India, it would be better if the consent of the Government of India were to be obtained through London, i.e. through the P.O. and India Office. ecember, 1941