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(b) Conferences of departmental officers and technical experts ; (c) Meetings of standing inter-governmental committees on such subjects as are agreed to by the two Governments ; (d) The fullest use of the status and functions of the High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia in New Zealand and of the High Commissioner of the Dominion of New Zealand in Australia ; (e) Regular exchange of information; (f) Exchange of officers ; and (g) The development of institutions in either country serving the common purposes of both. Permanent Secretariat 38. In order to ensure continuous collaboration on the lines set out in this agreement and to facilitate the carrying-out of the duties and functions involved, the two Governments agree that a permanent secretariat shall be established in Australia and in New Zealand. 39. The secretariat shall be known as the Australian - New Zealand Affairs Secretariat, and shall consist of a secretariat of the like name to be set up in Australia and a secretariat of the like name to be set up in New Zealand, each under the control of the Ministry of External Affairs in the country concerned. 40. The functions of the Secretariat shall be— (a) To take the initiative in ensuring that effect is given to the provisions of this agreement (b) To make arrangements as the occasion arises for the holding of conferences or meetings ; (c) To carry out the directions of those conferences in regard to further consultation, exchange of information, or the examination of particular questions ; ('d) To co -ordinate all forms of collaboration between the two Governments ; (e) To raise for joint discussion and action such other matters as may seem from day to day to require attention by the two Governments; and (/) Generally to provide for more frequent and regular exchanges of information and views, those exchanges between the two Governments to take place normally through the respective High Commissioners. 41. His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and His Majesty's Government in the Dominion of New Zealand each shall nominate an officer or officers from the staff of their respective High Commissioners to act in closest collaboration with the Secretariat in which they shall be accorded full access to all relevant sources of information. 42. In each country the Minister of State for External Affairs and the Resident High Commissioner shall have joint responsibility for the effective functioning of the Secretariat. Ratification and Title of Agreement 43. This agreement is subject to ratification by the respective Governments and shall come into force as soon as both Governments have ratified the agreement and have notified each other accordingly. It is intended that such notification will take place as soon as possible after the signing of this agreement. 44. This agreement shall be known as the Australian - New Zealand Agreement 1944. Dated this 21st day of January, 1944. Signed on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the Dominion of New Zealand— Peter Fraser. F. Jones. P. C. Webb. C. A. Berendsen. Signed on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia—■ John Curtin. F. M. Forde. J. B. Chifley. H. Y. Evatt. John A. Beaslev. Norman J. 0. Makin. Arthur S. Drakeford. John J. Dedman. Ed. J. Ward. Tom D'Alton. [This Agreement was ratified by His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia on 24th January, 1944, and by His Majesty's Government in the Dominion of New Zealand on Ist February. 1944.] '

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