£T'.W XX' '^J'8—9* »J^0O 7/38 T.S. 6**
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c. o.
Mr. Lee /1/6/39.
Mr.A.J.Dawe. /f
7025/2A/39 Gen.Secret.
s/o for Mr. Lee's signature.
Downing Street.
Sir //. Moore.
Sir G. Tomlinson.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Permt. U.S. o/S.
Parly. U.S. o/S.
Sccrttary of State.
June, 1939.
DRAFT.
h3'
(1) Major E.H.C. Frith, M. B. E.,
War Office. v
(2) Y/ing Commander R.M. Poster, ^
D.F.C., Air Ministry.
(3) C.W. Dixon, Esq. ,C 0/&^
Cominions Office, ^/i-
(4) Captain D.A. Budgen, %^
Admiralty.     % ^
(5) £ V p^**, Cj? >;>
To(2)onl.y)
P.P. C.  Minute No. 343.
0) U\*J  i/enclose a draft tele-
gram which we propose to send to the
Government of Fiji communicating to
him the recommendations summarised
in the above minute.
I should be very grate-
ful if you would let me know as soon
as possible whether you concur in
its terms.
I understand from
Gilbert that so far as he is concerned,
2 Drafts.
FURTHER ACTION.
he has no objection to the reference
made to the proposal that His Majesty's
Government should bear half the cost
of the emergency landing grounds in
Fiji, but he says that your finance
people should also concur.    I assume
that
that you will arrange for this.
The War Office (To (1) only)
have undertaken to consider the provision
of arras in a numoer of cases - e.g. for the
new companies of the Fiji Defence Force, for
the proposed company in Tonga, and for Ocean
Island.    If you feel that it would "be of
advantage to have a discussion on these
points, I will gladly make/arrangements, ,
I am writing similarly to:
(To 1) ^x>4j^y^^ Foster, $t4M4)fr.Dixon
and &b&i4%l% Budgen.
(to 2) $44*1* Frith, IfaLpfyPM/ Dixon and
qfapt44& Budgen.
(to 3) JS's^ Frith, y$4^jjtfafaifaFoster and
q^t4^ Budgen.
(to 4) ^^^Frith, ^^/^p^^HyFoster
axjyvfafyUk Dixon. ~> , a        - . _
CraiS^TOEM IS THE PROPERTY OF MIS BRITAMIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNIIENT)
S E C R E TV
Q.D.C. Minute No. 343.
COPY•NO. 3
COMMITTEE OP IMPERIAL DEFENCE
OVERSEA DEFENCE COMMITTEE.
EEW ZEALAND DEFENCE COHERENCE, 1959
Minute by the Oversea Defence Sub-
Committee of the" Committee" of Imperial
Defence*
In February, 1939, the Oversea Defence Committee
considered certain questions concerning defence matters
in the South V/estern Pacific, which were put forv/ard by
the New Zealand Government, and which were referred to the
Committee by the Dominions Office (O.D,C. Paper No. 1678).
The views of the Committee on these matters were set out
in O.D.C. Minute No. 334.
2. In April 1939, a Conference v/as held in New
Zealand attended by Delegations from the United Kingdom,
Australia, and New Zealand, to consider a number of
matters of common concern.     At this Conference, among
other matters, the questions on which the Oversea Defence
Committee had expressed their opinion in O.D.C. Minute
No. 334 were fully considered.      The Report of the
Conference has recently been received by the Dominions
Office, and Section 2, Part I, (O.D.C. Paper No. 1743),
was referred to the Oversea Defence Committee for
consideration.     The whole of Part I of the Reuort had
1
I
already been under considaration by the Chiefs of
Staff Sub-Cor.uittee, and in consequence, at the 387th
Meeting of the Oversea Defence Committee, on 31st May,
1939, when Section 2 of Part I was under consideration,
the guidance of the Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee was
available.      (O.D.C. Paper No, 1745).
3. The Comittee carefully considered the
recommendations of the Conference, which are sumuarisea
in paragraph 59 cf Part I of the Report. These
recommendations deal with measures to be taken in
vr.rious Pacific Islands, both for purely local defence
and to assist in strengthening the general defensive
position in the South "/est Pacific,     The views of the
Oversea Defence Cossnittee are set out below, under
geographical headings*     Kr.tters figuring in the
recommendations of the Conference, but which only concern
the Governments of Now Zealand and Australia wore not dealt
with by the Comnittee, and are therefore omitted from this
Paper.
FIJI.
4. The   roco:: :ondation£ of the Conference with regard
to Fiji are aC fellows:-
Army.
(i) Expand Fiji Defence Force to one complete
composite battalion at Suva, and two
European Companies at Lautoka - additional
permament staff, rifles, and web equipment
to be provided oy New Zealand, machine guns
and small arms ammunition to be provided
from the United Kingdom.
(ii)    Install a coast defence battery at Suva
consisting of two 6-inch guns and two
searchlights - material to be provided
by the United Kingdom, key personnel by
New Zealand, and the remaining personnel
to be raised locally.
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Air.
(i)   Two landing grounds to be constructed
"by the New Zealand Government.
(ii)   Additional capital cost of expansion of
Hew Zealand activities in connection
with Fiji to "be shared equally "by
the United Kingdom and l!e*w Zealand.
5, The proposals for the expansion of the Fiji Defence
Force have already come before the Oversea Defence Committee
(O.D.C. Paper Ho. 1683), and they expressed their agreement
with them in O.D.C. Minute Ho. 334.     The Committee therefore
endorse their previous recommendation that the proposals
should be accepted, and invite the War Office to investigate
the possibility of providing the machine guns and small arms
ammunition required for the expansion.
6. The Committee had also considered the defence of Suva,
and, for reasons which were fully set out in O.D.C. Minute
ITo. 334, had not recommended the provision of coast defences.
The views of the Committee were given full consideration by
the Conference in New Zealand.     In paragraph 35 of Part I
of their Report, however, they show that there are reasons
for placing coast defences at Suva which outweigh those
advanced by the Oversea Defence Committee;   and their
recommendation to this effect is supported by the Chiefs of
Staff.     The Committee therefore accept the guidance of the
Chiefs of Staff, and recommend that Suva should be classified
as a Category 'A1 defended port.     The effect of such a
recommendation will be that the coast defences will be found
from United Kingdom sources, as and when these become available.
It is possible that 6-inch guns may be available from Admiralty
resources in Australia, and tho Admiralty have undertaken
to investigate this point.     It must be realised, however,
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that the demands on coast defences of all kinds for
defended ports throughout the Empire are very heavy,
and due regard lias to tie; void to the relative- importance
of each port in the scheme of Imperial Defence as a
whole.     Consequently, the completion of the coast
defences of Suva is likely to be somewhat delayed. In
the meanwhile, the Committee welcome the proposal that
the New Zealand Government should provide the personnel
required to train   c • locally raised Unit  to man
the defences.        They recommend that steps should be taken
at an early date to set on foot the formation of this
Unit, so that it will be ready when the defences are
provided.
7.        The question of landing facilities at Fiji was
considered by the Oversea Defence Committee in February,
1939, and in O.D.C. Minute No. 334 they expressed the
opinion that it would be desirable that such facilities
should be created, but they suggested that one landing
ground would be sufficient, and that its cost should be
shared between the Governments of New Zealand and
Australia.     The question was considered at the New Zealand
Conference, and good reasons vnro r.dvanced to show
that two landing grounds are essential.     The New Zealand
Government is ready to undertake the construction of these
landing grounds, provided the incidence of cost is
satisfactorily settled.     The Chiefs of Staff recommend th
the two landing grounds should be constructed, and that the
cost should be shared between the Governments of the United
Kingdom and New Zealand.     The Oversea Defence Committee
endorse this recommendation.     It is   not altogether
clear to them what was meant by the second recommendation,
-4 m
-¦
quoted under the heading "Alp" in paragraph 4 above.
The Report does not explain precisely what the additional
cost of expansion of New Zealand activities in connection
with Fiji is likely to be.     The Committee recommend
that the financial contribution of the Government of
the United Kingdom should be limited to half the cost
of constructing the two landing grounds, and that the
whole cost of the provision of any other facilities,
e.g. the storage of petrol, bombs, etc. for the use of
New Zealand Air Forces, should be borne by the New
Zealand Government.
TONGA.
8.        The Conference recommended that a Defence Force
of   one Infantry Company should be raised in Tonga -
the  necessary rifles and web equipment being provided
by the Government of New Zealand, and machine guns and
small arms ammunition being provided by the Government
of the United Kingdom.     The main object of the provision
of this Defence Force would be to guard landing grounds
which the Conference recomuend should be established, and
for v/hich the New Zealand Government is to undertake the
necessary surveys.     The Oversea Defence Committee accept
the principle that if landing grounds are provided they
should be defended.     The position of Tonga is, however,
not the same as that of British Dependencies in which
Defence Forces are created.     The Government of the United
Kingdom and the Government of Tonga are in treaty
relations, and by the provisions of the Treaty the
Government of the United Kingdom undertakes the defence of
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Tonga.     In these circumstances, the Committee do not
think it possible or desirable to exert pressure on
the Government of Tonga to raise a Defence Force.
They recommend, therefore, that the High Commissioner
for the Western Pacific should be instructed to
approach the Government of Tonga in a suitable manner,
with the object of ascertaining the willingness of
the Government of Tonga to countenance the raising of
a Defence Force.     The cost of raising and maintaining
the Force, apart from the initial provision of weapons,
ammunition, and equipment, would have to be borne by
the Government of Tonga, and it may well prove that
the burden of expenditure entailed is greater than the
revenue of Tonga can bear.     This consideration will
no doubt be fully borne in mind in the discussions
between the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific
and the Government of Tonga.      In the meanwhile, the
Committee welcome the proposal of the New Zealand
Government to undertake the survey of possible sites
for landing grounds.
FADNING ISLAM).
9. In February, 1939, the Government of New Zealand,
proposed to despatch as early as possible,and to
maintain in peace time, the garrison of one company which
they had hitherto agreed to send to Fanning Island on the
outbreak of war.     The Oversea Defence Committee, for the
reasons set out in O.D.C. Minute No. 554, deprecated this
course of action.     The matter was further considered at
the New Zealand Conference and it was ascertained that
the maintenance -in peace of a plr.toon of about 30 men on
Fanning Island would present little difficulty, and would
cause no.-hardship to the troops.     The presence of even one
platoon on the outbreak of war might be decisive
in safeguarding this important link in the trans- •
Pacific cable.     The Conference accordingly recommended
that the New Zealand Government should station a platoon
at Fanning Island in peace time, and that the food
reserves for the personnel on the Island should be
increased to a supply sufficient for six months.
10. The Chiefs of Staff support this recommendation;
and in view of the fresh information which has come to
light, the Oversea Defence Committee accept the proposal
on the understanding that the whole cost involved will
be borne by the Hew Zealand Government.     With regard to
the building up of reserve supplies of food, the Committee
are informed that the High Commissioner for the Western
Pacific is taking the matter up with the cable and
plantation companies concerned.
QCEAi; AirD KAURU ISLAiJDS.
11. The Conference recommended that food reserves at
these Islands should be built up to a six months' supply,
and that the supply of arms and ammunition should be
increased.     The Oversea Defence Committee are infomed
that action has already been taken with a view to giving
effect, if possible, to both these recommendations*
m:i 31EB3I3SS A?3) 1527 CAI&30NIA.
12. The Conference made certain recommendations
regarding the New Hebrides and New Caledonia. The
Committee are informed that the High Commissioner for the
Wo stem Pacific is visiting   the Nov Hebrides and the French
High Commissioner in New Caledonia with a view to a.
discussion of these recommendations.     The Committee take
note of this fact and recommend that farther consideration
should be doferred until the report of the High Coaming oner
for the Y/cstom Pacific is received.
(Sgd.) E.I.C. JACOB.
Secretary
Oversea Defence Committee.
Richmond Terrace, S.V/.l.,
7th June, 1939.
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