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

264 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand3

264
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand3

3 February 1942

My telegram of 23 December [No. 254].

The following recommendations have been under consideration by the Combined Chiefs of Staff in Washington:

(a)

That the United States should arrange for the local defence of Palmyra, Christmas Island, Canton, American Samoa and Bora Bora.

page 296
(b)

That the United States should assist New Zealand, which is responsible for the local defence of the Fiji Islands, in providing equipment and air defences for them.

(c)

That as a temporary measure to be taken immediately after meeting the emergency in the ABDA area, the United States should [group mutilated – furnish?] forces for New Caledonia, for the local defence of which the Commonwealth of Australia is responsible. The opinion of the Commonwealth Government should be sought as to the prior arming of Free French troops in the Islands.

(d)

That the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand should be invited to afford all possible supplies to such United States forces as might be assigned to assist in the defence of New Caledonia and Fiji.

2. Estimates of garrisons recommended for New Caledonia, Fiji, Christmas and Canton will be communicated separately.1

3. It is understood, on the assumption that the proposals in general are acceptable to the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments, that detailed arrangements are being made in Washington to give them effect.

4. The text of this telegram is being repeated to the Joint Defence Mission in Washington.

3 Addressed also to the Prime Minister of Australia and repeated by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Fiji.

1 Not published. See p. 247, note 3.