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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III
111 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
111
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
Following from my Prime Minister to Prime Minister of New Zealand:
I send you subjoined the all-important agreement between the President and myself1 which has been approved by Cabinet. The President proposes to announce that it was at his suggestion, endorsed by his advisers, that General Wavell was chosen.2 I have the fullest confidence in General Wavell, who has unique experience in handling three or four separate theatres simultaneously. It is necessary that the announcement should be made by 1 January at the latest, and I hope that I may have your early agreement to an arrangement designed to be a help and security for New Zealand and to enable the war against the Japanese to be prosecuted with the utmost vigour.
Text of the agreement is contained in my immediately following telegram.
1 Mr Churchill conferred with President Roosevelt at Washington between 22 Dec 1941 and 14 Jan 1942.
2 Fd Mshl Earl Wavell, PC, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC (then General Sir Archibald Wavell); GOC-in-C Middle East, 1939–41; GOC-in-C India, 1941–43; Supreme Commander, South-West Pacific, Jan-Mar 1942; Viceroy and Governor-General of India, 1943–47; died 24 May 1950.