F.720/172. 6 E 0 R s T. ^ December, iy3d.
Bear Jacob,
With reference to 0. D.C. paper Wo. 1635, on the
subject of the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands,
our general view is that it would be desirable that the
proposed meeting of representstires of the United :ingdo«#
the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand should
consider, not only any defence questions arising in
connection with the .'aclfic islands, but also possible action
1 in relation to United State* activities in the .-'aclfic and
the suggested conference between His ' ajesty's Governments
concerned and the United states Government to discuss the
Vx *  tiuestion of reciprocal air facilities.
""4,""-,-^w
>ve asaune that the other   epartments concerned, and
particularly the Foreign office, the colonial Office and
the Air ministry, will make sug estions as to detailed
¦attars which might be raised on behalf of the United
Kingdom Government at the proposed me-ting, and at this
stage we do not wish ourselves to put forward any
suggestions.
The last head mentioned in the first paragraph
of this letter relates to civil aviation rather than defence.
MAJC* 1.1.0, JACOB. The
The main point of importance In this connection would
sera to be that a   rttish Commonwealth company should
be available, whenever required, to lodge an application
with the Jnlted States Jovernment for landing facilities
in Islands under their sovereignty.     Consideration of
thiB Question would appear to be primarily for the Imperial
Air Communications Committee (presided over by
Sir Warren Fisher) or a Sub-Committee of that Committee.
§i are writing to the Air kinietry putting this suggestion,
and, pending receipt of the views of Sir v/arren Fisher's
Committee, we as&ume that this sapeot of the preparations
wlli not come up at the oversea defence Committee.
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