P 730/214.
PAHAPHRASi; TSLIiORAM
NUW ZEALAND
To the Governor-General of Hew Zealand,,
(Sent 9*15 p0m., 20th February, 1939)
1
No. 87. Secret,
Your telegram of 17th February Ho. S3. Following
Is text of telegram which has been sent to Prime Minister of
Commonwealth of Australia. Begins. ..Prime Minister of New
Zealand has repeated to us his telegram to you of 17th February.
His Majesty's Government in New Zealand had already been
informed of our view that adequate consideration, of some of the
topics mentioned in their telegram of 22nd January would call
for u meeting more in the nature of an Imperial Conference and
thut on such topics it was assumed that task of the present
Conference would be merely exploratory with a view to drawing up
reports for further consideration by Governments.     We added
that this would not apply to immediate practical problems which it
was thought could be fully discussed at the Conference with a
view to reaching- definite conclusions'.
rfe feel that if defence discussions on this basis
could take place without undue delay there would be considerable
advantage.     Moreover we are anxious to discuss as soon as
possible with His   Majesty's Governments in Commonwealth of
Australia and New Zealand other questions relating to Pacific
Islands namely action in regard to United States claims and
civil aviation problems.     It would therefore be convenient
from out point of view if opening of Conference were not deferred
beyond latter part of March.     This would also be suitable time
for attendance of Hifift Commissioner for the Western Pacific
whom v/e should like to be one of our representatives at the
Conference.     Text ends.