¦'D.0.3a.
No.
Subject:
Reference to previou*^c6rrespondence:
With the compliments of
A copy has also been sent to /ftd^****"
Dominions Office, Downing Street,
17 jul i9«y>3
(B6W0)  Wt IMC8 MS7  20.000(4)   7136   HARP OpMO
i
D 1355/19. •
CYPHER TELEGRAM
To the Governments of Hew Zealand and the Commonwealth of
Australia.
(Sent 8 p.m., 14th July, 1939.)
No. 6ft.'
Most Secret.
Your telegram of 20th June No*68.
(1) His Majesty1s Government in the United Kingdom
agree in principle that the Fiji Defence Force should be
-
expanded to one complete composite battalion at Suva and two
European companies at Lautoka*     Possibility of providing
machine guns and small arms ammunition required is being
investigated.     His Majesty's Government in the United
Kingdom also agree in principle that the scale of- coast
defences at Suva should be two 6-inch guns and searchlights-
Provision of these defences is being considered in relation
to the requirements of -other ports and the stocks of
material available., and some delay may be involved. His
Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom appreciate
willingness   of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand to
provide key personnel to train locally recruited personnel
who would man the defences.
(2) His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom
agree with recommendation of the Pacific Defence Conference
that a defence force of one Infantry Company Should be
provided if possible at Tonga.     High Commissioner for the
Western Pacific is being instructed to approach the
Government of Tonga with a view to the formation of a
Company on the understanding that the cost of raising and
maintaining the Company, apart from the initial provision of
-
arjns.. ammunition and war equipment* should be borne by the
Government
Government of Tonga*     It will "be appreciated that
f easlbility of implementing the proposal depends largely on
the attitude of that Government*
(5)   His Majesty1 s Government in the United Kingdom
would v/elcome the proposal that a platoon from New Zealand
should be stationed at Fanning Island in time of peace,
whether permanently or for temporary purposes mentioned in
your telegram? if His Majesty* s Government in Hew Zealand*
after consideration of defence requirements generally, should
decide in favour of such a course*     It is assumed that Hi3
Majesty1 s Government in New Zealand v^ould "be willing to Dear-
th© cost of the necessary arrangements for the reception of
the fore© sent and its- subsequent maintenance*
This telegram has been shown to Mr. Nash in draft.
Addressed to Hew Zealand No* 83.     Repeated to
Commonwealth of Australia Ho*63*