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The Prime Minister of Australia to the Prime Minister of New Zealand

With regard to your telegram of 20 January (No. 205) concerning publicity in connection with the movement of troops in the United Kingdom to the Middle East, the Commonwealth Government agree with your view that the announcement should be withheld until the troops have actually arrived at their destination. The text of a telegram sent by us today to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs is contained in my immediately following telegram.

The Commonwealth Government would be pleased to know whether the New Zealand Government concur in these proposals. On account of the position outlined therein, we would be grateful if for the present a public announcement could be withheld.