Ml*. Bevir 8.3.39
Mr. Dixon b.3.39
Sir KShucKburgh B.3.39 at once
7025/2/39
ARAPHRASB TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the
Colonies to the Governor of Fiji*
Sent 7 p«m., 8th March, 1939
N0o3?o Secret.
Your telegram No(.43„   Defence Conference9     it does not
look at the present moment es though It would "be possible for
the Conference to open before Easter.   That being so, you will
not be back in Fiji until early in May if you leave on the 14th
March*    It will mean if your intention is to tour from May 24th
until August 7th that you will be absent from Suva with only a
short break for the better part of five months.    I am not aware
what precisely is urgency of questions that you wish to discuss
in Australia, but in the circumstances you will perhaps
consider whether it might not be advisable to postpone the visit
and merely leave Fiji in order to attend the Conference in New
Zealand.     You may be able to get an early indication from the
High Commissioner for the United kingdom in Hew Zec-lfmd who is
due to arrive there March 9th as to the likely date of commence-
ment of Conference-