A 91/57
PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM
NEW ZEALAND
To the Government of New Zealand
Sent 12c35 a jn > 15th October 1938
IMPORTANT
Secret Noe 140o
Your telegram NoB102 of 12th September and my telegram No0116
of 9th September.    Pacific Islands*   In view of certain aspectB of
the matter which have been brought to notice of His Majesty's
Government in the United Kingdom in connexion with desirability of
firmly establishing British claim to certain islands and the
•   - in the Pacific
selection of civil air routes/ question of priorities has been
reconsidered and it, is desired to submit for urgent consideration
of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand the following comments
and suggestions. ' .
2c   The most satisfactory civil air route from New Zealand to
North America, viz. Auckland to Honolulu, will, it is thought,
¦
necessitate use of Suva, Nukonono Island, Hull Island (as potential
emergency alighting place) and Christmas Island. f"M
3d   It appears essential from standpoint of negotiation with
United States full reciprocity across Pacific, not only t.iat
British sovereignty should be claimed in'respect of those islands
where any dispute Is possible but also that British interests
should speedily be so firmly established as to enjoy rights de facto
as v/ell as de jure:    this would forestall risk of United States
interests trying to intrude there on the lines adopted at Canton
Island©
4-.   Of the islands mentioned in paragraph 2, that which appears
to be most open to dispute as to ownership is Christmas Itiland,
and although British claim to sovereignty i3 regarded aB strong,
possible United States counter claim must be reckoned with*   As is
recognised in paragraph 4 of your secret despatch of 20th Hay, this
island
jUland la of first class Importance boV.h for air routo and defence
purpcseB, and only the actual preparations for an Airport, it is
¦^ught, would make it secure against possible United States intrusion-
Bo   His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom think that in
these circumstances it would he most desirable that marine alighting
place and land aerodrome on Christmas Island should be surveyed and
demarcated and adequate notices of ownership of the Island posted as
soon as possible and, for this purpose, they would be grateful if His
Majesty* s Government in New Zealand could consider possibility of
sending u  party quickly and discreetly.    On their return from
Christmas Island it is also suggested that party should survey for
similar purposes Nukonono and Hull Island thus securing satisfactory
hold on latter even if not to be utilised as main landing place.
6n   General effect of these proposals would be to take in hand route
B described in your despatch before route A and to begin at outer end
of route (Christmas Island) instead of at centre (Fiji) as suggested
in your telegram NodOS.
?c.   It is hoped that His Majesty* s Government in New Zealand will
agree that considerations set out above, which demonstrate importance
of route B both 1'rom defence and civil aviation aspects, render such
a variation advisable and that they may be prepared to undertake
responsibility for immediate survey of this route in sane manner as
was contemplated for route A.   Air Ministry would be pleased, however,
to arrange for a special echo sounding apparatus, for purpose ox* marine
surveys, to be sent by air to Sydney and ship to Fiji with experienced
operator from Imperial Airways staff and for cost of this service to
be borne from Uuit.ed Kingdom fund30   This apparatus has already prove
most satisfactory for rapid and accurate survey of water expanses
for flying boat purposes and records depths of as little as 3 feet;
it isthought that it would be found to be of the very greatest value
for the present purpose.    It is assumed that a motor boat   of email
draught and ordinary navigating instruments including plane table,
telescopic alitate, pcrtablc range finder and invar tape will be oveil-
able*
Q0   Should be gx*afcetul for very early reply; if this is favourable,
'operator and apparatus leaving by air 30th October might reach Suva by
17th November sn<3 proceed thence with Ne;w Zealand party to Curiotmas
I .a. . .i&Jm