D 6/62
COMI^^VSAlfflH OP AUSTRALIA -
To the United Kingdom High Commissioner in the
Commonwealth of Australia.
Sent 4.0 p.m. 1st April, 1939.
No.69 Secret.
My immediately following telegram contains text
of "brief on defence questions prepared for United Kingdom
representatives at forthcoming pacific Conference. Text
has been telegraphed to United Kingdom High Commissioner
in New Zealand with request that he will communicate it
also to High Commissioner for the western Pacific.
Please communicate (or arrange with Batteroee to communicate)
text to Colvin and Longmore and, by safe channel tp
tlackesy on arrival in Australia.
Per your own information Admiralty telegraphed
to Colvin 23rd March that it is still the intention of
His Majesty's Government in the United kingdom-to send
a fleet to the Par Kast in the event of war with Japan
but that strength of the fleet actually sent out in such
circumstances must depend on numerous unpredictable
circumstances including the situation in Europe. They
added that there need he no cr.r.iety that needs of ..ustralia
and New Zealand are not fully appreciated here.