Reference to previous correspondence: With the compliments of 4v*- 4 A copy has also been sent to /W^J^ •( o^«_^, P. 5. *(k^ Dominions Office, Downing Street, (BM30) Wt 15568 3857 20.000(1) T,M HASP Op WO D.265/15. CYPHhH TiSLKGRAM NJ3W ZliALAND To the Government of New Zealand. (iient 12 noon 5th March, 1939). No. 32. Most Secret. Your telegram of 3rd February No. 15. Following is position a3 regards questions (1), (2), (3), (4) and 5 (a). (1) «/e agree that for''reasons indicated it would be undesirable to defer despatch of force to Panning Island until after an outbreak of war. We fe«l however, that, having on regard to difficulties involved in placing a garrison/the Island in peace time (including lack of accommodation and supplies) it would not be advisable to despatch this force at the present time. In order to avoid delay if necessity for its despatch should arise, we suggest that best course would be for His Majesty's Government in New Zealand to make as complete a plan as possible for the operation and to collect and earmark all stores, supplies, ammunition etc. which would be required. It uould then be possible if at any time in the opinion of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom occasion had arisen for the despatch of the force for them to inform His Majesty's Government in New Zealand immediately. For this purpose would it be possible to let us have length of time which might be expected to elapse between receipt by New Zealand Government of such information and sailing of force. (2) (a) Having reviewed possibilities of enemy attack on Fiji we doubt value of installation of 6 inch guns at Suva. Moreover the 6 inch guns at present held in New Zealand are earmarked earmarked for the arming of merchunt ships. In the circumstances feeling here is that it would be preferable to retain them in New Zealund for this purpose. (b) Proposals for expansion of Fiji defence force and generous offer of Hew Zealand Government to despatch to tfiji rifles and machine guna required are welcomed. Detailed working out of scheme for such expansion raises certain questions which it is thought could best be discussed at forthcoming Conference in New Zealand and if New Zealand Government agree we should propose that any action should be deferred pending such di&cussion. (3) If view expressed in (S) (a) la accepted, question of construction of gun positions does not arise. Proposed establishment of air facilities in i,1iji iswelcomed in principle but this also raises questions which it is suggested might be discussed at forthcoming Conference, (4) As mentioned under (2) (a) the only six inch guns in Admiralty reserve in New Zealand are earmarked for equipment of armed merchant ships. There are, however, at Sydney a number of six inch B.L. Mark XI guns complete with necessary spare parts, appurtenances, side arms and ordnance tools, on P.V. mountingswith telescopes and tools. Admiralty would be happy to supply two of these to New Zealand if desired. Ammunition for these guns is available at Sydney ao follows: 970 shell C.P.C. (Common Pointed Capped) fuzed 65 shell H.K. plugged 65 fuses No. 45 P 65 cylinders packuges etc. No cartridges are available either in Australia or elsewhere and special 1 special manufacture would "be necessary. Approximate time required to produce 1035 cartridges would toe four months from date of order. Total cost of guns, mountings and shells which could be supplied from Australia is estimated at £20,900 (sterling). Cost of specially manufactured cartridges would be about £63330 (sterling). Cost of freight and special packing would be additional in each case. As regards gun rings, separate ring is not required with an Arrol platform since base plate of platform is drilled to fit particular type of mounting. If Kis Majesty's Government in Hew Zealand should wish to place order for manufacture of cartridges Admiralty • would be glad to know as soon as possible. (5) (a) Under existing arrangements requirements of New Zealand as regards gun ammunition have been given highest priority which is thought possible having regard to other requirements of an essential character and it is feared that no further action is possible at present. It is understood that detailed explanation of position ha3 been given to New Zealand military authorities by Colonel Miles. Further reply will be sent as soon as possible as regards question (5) (b). To the Government of New Zealand, (Sent 13 noon 5th March, 1939). No. 52. Most Secret, Your telegram of 3rd February Ho. 15. Following is position as regards questions (l), (2), (3), (4) and 5 (a). (1) We agree that for'^reasons indicated it would be undesirable to defer despatch of force to Fanning Island until after an outbreak of war, V/e feci however, that, having -v on regard to difficulties involved in placing a garrison/the Island in peace time (including lack of accommodation and supplies) it v7ould not be advisable to despatch this force at the present time. In order to avoid delay if necessity for its despatch should arise, we suggest that best course v/ould be for His Majesty's Government in New Zealand to make as complete a plan as possible for the operation and to collect and earmark all stores, supplies, ammunition etc. which would be required. It would then be possible if at any time in the opinion of Hi3 Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom oocasii had arisen for the despatch of the force for them to inform His Majesty's Government in Hew Zealand immediately. l?or this purpose v/ould it be possible to let us have length of time which might be expected to elapse between receipt by New Zealand Government of such .information and sailing-of force. j (2) (a) Having reviewed possibilities of enemy attack on i^iji we doubt value of installation of 6 inch guns at Suva. Moreover the 6 inch guns at present held in New Zealand are earmarked earmarked for the arming of merchant ships. In the oircumstancea feeling here is that it would be preferable to retain then in New Zealand for this purpose. (b) Proposals for expansion of tfiji defence force and generous offer of Mew Zealand Government to despatch to tfiji rifles and machine gun3 required are welcomed. Detailed wording out of scheme for such expansion raises certain questions which it is thought could best be discussed at forthcoming Conference in New Zealand and if New Zealand Government agree we should propose thut any action should be deferred pending such discussion. (3) If view expressed in (2) (a) is accepted, question of construction of gun positions does not arise. Proposed establishment of air facilities in .l^iji iswelcomed in principle but this also raises questions which it is suggested might be discussed at forthcoming Conference. (4) As mentioned under (2) (a) the only six inch guns in Admiralty reserve in New Zealand are earmarked for equipment of armed merchant ships. There are, however, at Sydney a number of six inch B.L. Marie XI guns complete with necessary spare parts, appurtenances, 3ide arms and ordnance tools, on P.V. raountingewith telescopes and tools. Admiralty would be happy to supply two of these to New Zealand if desired. Ammunition for these guns is available at Sydney as follows: 970 shell C.P.C. (Common Pointed Capped) fuzed 65 3hell H.K. plugged 65 fuzes No. 45 P 65 cylinders packages etc. No cartridges are available cither in Australia or elsewhere and special special manufacture would be necessary. Approximate time required to produce 1035 cartridges would "be four monthB from date of order. Total cost of guns, mountings and sheila which could be supplied from Australia is estimated at £20,900 (sterling). Coot of specially manufactured cartridges would be about £G,330 (sterling)- Cost of freight and special packing would be additional in each case. As regards gun rings, separate ring i3 not required with an Arrol platform since base plate of platform i3 drilled to fit particular type of mounting. If His I.tajesty's Government in New Zealand should wish to place order for manufacture of cartridges Admiralty would be glad to know as soon as possible. (5) (a) Under existing arrangements requirements of New Zealand as regards gun ammunition have been given highest priority v/hich is thought possible having regard to other requirements of an essential character and it is feared that no further action is possible at present. It is understood that detailed explanation of position has been given to New Zealand military authorities by Colonel Miles. Further reply will be sent as soon as possible as regards questioft (5) (b).