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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I

298 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

298
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

6 July 1940

Reference your telegram of 29 June (No. 297). The Admiralty regret that it is impracticable to provide a special escort for the Awatea, either on the Cape route or to the Pacific coast of Canada, and no firm arrangements could at present be made if the Pacific route were used for the onward passage of the troops in question in a convoy across the Atlantic.

The alternatives are therefore: first, that the troops should be sent by civil packet without escort but with the normal precautions for the safety of such vessels; second, that the Awatea should sail by the Cape route now without special escort, but subject to arrangements for escort in the danger areas as outlined in paragraph 1 of the Admiralty's telegram of 24 May to the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board, repeated to the New Zealand Naval Board;1 and third, that the Awatea should await the US 4 convoy of Australian reinforcements for the 6th Australian Division. However, as regards this convoy, no final arrangements have been made at present

We shall be grateful if the New Zealand Government would consider the matter on the above lines. The supply position makes it very desirable that as soon as possible the Forestry companies should reach this country.

1 This naval telegram is not published. The paragraph referred to read as follows:

Cover for these sailings is regarded as of little value in wide oceans, and it is considered, if close escort is not available for the entire passage, that adequate security will, in the present circumstances, be provided if liners are escorted for a period of two or three days from the ports of departure and arrival, and if they are given a wide evasive route.