X
D 255/20.
Secret.
2£ June, 1939.
Dear Lee,
0-
In reply to your letter of the 19th June as to
O.D.C. Minute No.343, we concur in the draft telegram to
the Governor of Fiji which you enclosed, subject to the
following observations:
Paragraph (a) (iv) and (vi).
We think that it would be preferable not to
make any communication to the New Zealand Government which
would encourage them to embark on the construction of
landing grounds in Fiji until there has been further
progress in the discussions at present proceeding in
London with the New Zealand Minister of Finance. In
these discussions the question of defence expenditure in
New Zealand and the method of financing it is playing a
very important part.     We suggest therefore that you
might add at the end of this paragraph "but you should
defer any such communication for the present pending
conclusion of conversations on defence matters at present
proceeding in London with New Zealand Minister of Finance",
and
F. G. LEE, ESQ.
and omit the word "forthwith" in the last sentence.
Paragraph (b) (i).
In view of New Zealand telegram No. 68, of which
a copy has been sent to the Colonial Office, the words in
"brackets "provided New Zealand Government agree" can "be
omitted.
Paragraph (d) (i).
In view of New Zealand telegram No. 68, it will
"be possible to substitute for the last sentence "New Zealand
Government are considering advisability of sending a
platoon as a temporary measure for such purposes as
construction of section posts and improvement of water
supply but have not reached a final decision".
I am sending copies of this letter to Gilbert,
Frith, Foster and Budgen.
Yours ever,