I
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS r
IN  NEW ZEALAND.
FINAL EDITION,
DEFENCE CONFERENCE, 1939.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure
the secrecy of this document.
D.C.S. 5.
Copy No,
-.3
19th April, 1939.
SECRET,
Notes of Proceedings of the Fifth Day of
Meeting of the Defence Conference, held
on Wednesday, 19th April, 1939.
PRESENT:
NEW ZEALAND.
Delegates.
Hon. P. Fraser.
Hon. W. Nash.
Hon. F, Jones.
iia jar-Sene?ai:;>Y£v Duigan, C.B., D.S.O.
C.-.nmodore H.E* Horan, 5.S.C. , R.N.
Group-Captain H.W.L. Saunders, M.C., D.F.C., M.M.
Group-Captain T.M. Wilkes, C.B.E., M.C.
C.A. Berendsen, Esq., C.M.G.
B.C. Ashv/in, Esq.
L.J. Schmitt, Esq.
Lt.-Col. W.G. Stevens.
Advisers.
Commander A.3. Fanshawe, R.N.
Colonel O.H. Mead, D.S.O.
Group-Captain L.M. Isitt, R.N.2.A.F.
Wing-Commander A. de T. Nevill, R.N.Z.A.F.
T.A. Barrov/, Esq,
A.R.F. Mackay> Esq.
J.R. Middleton, Esq.
Squadron Leader E.A. Gibson.
Secretariat.
Lt.-Col. W.G. Stevens.
Lt.-Commander T. Ellis, R.N.
Captain D.T. Maxwell, N.Z.S.C.
Sqn.Ldr.E.M^F- Grundy, R.A.F.
F. Shanahan, Esq.
H.G. Nicholls, Esq.
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UNITED KINGDOM.
Delegates.
Sir Harry Batterbee, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.
Sir Karry Luke, K.C.M.G.
Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, K.B.E., C.B., R.N.
Major-General P.J, Mackesy, C.B., D.S.O., M.C.
Air-Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, K.C.B., D.S.O.
Advisers.
Captain W.D. McN. Graham-
Major A.H. Stafford.
H.H. Vaskess, Esq., O.B.E.
Lt.P.R.J. Nicholls R.A.
Secretariat.
G.E. Boyd Shannon, Esq.
N.E. Costar, Esq..
AUSTRALIA.
Dele ffates.
Vice Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, K.B.E., C.B.R.N.
Colonel V.A.H. Sturdee, C.B.E., D.S.O.
Wing-Commander G. Jones, D.F.C., R.A.A.P.
Captain E.C. Johnston, D.P.C.
Adviser.
Commander J.CD, Esdaile, R.A.N.
Secretariat.
paymaster Captain J.B. Foley, O.B.E., R.A.N.
The Conference assembled at 10 a.m. and discussed the
procedure to be followed for the day.     It was agreed that
Committee 1 should meet forthwith, and Committees 2 and 3 at
2.30 p.m.
SIR ARTHUR LONGMORE asked if it would be possible to arrive
at a forecast of the time-table for Conference meetings.
MR. FRASER said that if the Air Committee's and Supply CommitteeV
reports could be disposed of by Friday, the Strategical Committee's
report could be left until Monday.
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MR. NASH said that it would be desirable if Friday's discussion
could end at midday, and an adjournment be taken until Monday
morning.
There was general agreement to this.      SIR HARRY BATTERBEE
suggested that it would be very appropriate if the date of the
Conference reports could be that of Anzac Day.
COLONEL STEVENS said that the Press were very anxious to get
a photograph.      MR FRASER said that it had better be left until
Thursday or Friday.
The Conference adjourned at 10.10 a.m.