Telegram sent 15 January 1966
To Right Honourable Sir Robert Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia
From Moira Dynon, Chairman, Aid for India Campaign
Thank you for your reply 15 January to my telegrams concerning immediate supply of Australian food to India to help alleviate the famine resulting from drought and crop failures and thank you for your advice that the Australian Government is deeply concerned over the food situation in India STOP
It is noted that no Australian Government decision in principle to supply Australian grain to India on humanitarian terms has yet been made STOP In the context of India’s foreign exchange position and bearing in mind the functions of the Australian Wheat Board your reference to commercial arrangements concerning any sales entered into between India and the Board evades our plea STOP
You imply doubt with regard to the availability of supplies STOP This is not surprising in view of this years reduced Australian wheat yield and recently announced sales of Australian new crop wheat to Communist China despite Mr. McEwan’s statement in Parliament on 3 December that Communist countries are not our regular customers STOP
Internationally and at home the inference appears to be that Australia prefers to sell wheat to Communist China whilst ignoring democratic India’s emergency needs and also ignoring President Johnson’s clarion call to all grain producing nations including Australia to make grain available to India on humanitarian terms STOP
Sincerely Moira Dynon
Chairman Aid for India Campaign