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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III

137 — The Prime Minister of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs1

137
The Prime Minister of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs1

7 February 1942

Following from Prime Minister for Prime Minister:

Press and broadcast reports of the recent statement by you appear to indicate some doubt as to New Zealand's attitude with reference to representation on the War Cabinet. In order to remove any possible misunderstanding will you allow me to explain that we had regarded my message of 26 January [No. 129] as fully indicating our position, which is that as representation on the War Cabinet has been accorded to Australia we desire a similar privilege to be extended to New Zealand, and, as explained in my telegram of 6 February [No. 135], we are now considering suitable representation.

You may be interested to know also that in the secret session of Parliament held yesterday I outlined the point of view that we have page 151 expressed on this question and on that of the Far Eastern Council, and the House was unanimous in its approval of the line we have taken, including of course our acceptance on 6 February of your proposals, with all the doubts that we still feel as to their adequacy.

1 Repeated to the Prime Minister of Australia.