The issue of an agreement between McLeod and the Department was so sensitive that telegrams were sent in code.

Coded Telegram on Agreement Between McLeod and Department
Middleton to Elliott-Smith, 12 August 1949
Citation

Stan Middleton to Sydney Elliott-Smith, 12 August 1949, SROWA, 1949/0454/79.

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Urgent Telegram on Recognition of McLeod as Aboriginal Representative

Submitted by scollini on Wed, 10/17/2018 - 12:29

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The wool ban was lifted as a result of guarantees made to McLeod by Native Affairs officer Sydney Elliott-Smith, but the Western Australian government bowed to Pastoralists’ Association and the Australian Workers’ Union protests and denied that any agreement had been made. Nevertheless, the strikers’ actions, supported by the Seamen’s Union, led to significant concessions being granted by the Department of Native Affairs.