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

242 — The Governor-General of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs3

242
The Governor-General of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs3

22 November 1940

His Majesty's Government in New Zealand have approved of the recommendations for the defence of Tonga made by the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff in July last.4

On the assumption that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, and the Government of Tonga similarly approve of these recommendations and are prepared to increase the strength of the Tonga Defence Force to 30 officers and 450 other ranks, to provide this force with three page 274 months' continuous training, and to accept the principle that the Officer in Command of the Fiji Defence Force should be regarded as in command of the Tongan Defence Force also, the New Zealand Government are prepared for their part:

(a)

to make immediate arrangements to despatch to Tonga suitable key personnel, which they suggest, as recommended by the Chiefs of Staff, should comprise the Officer Commanding Tonga Defence Force, Adjutant, Regimental Sergeant-Major, and at least two instructors;

(b)

to supply such additional equipment as may be required.

They would be grateful to receive at an early date the comments of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, and the Government of Tonga.

3 Repeated to the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific (Suva).

4 Not published. The chief of these recommendations concerned the strength, training and command of the force – see second paragraph of this telegram.