Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I
106 — The New Zealand Naval Board to the Admiralty
106
The New Zealand Naval Board to the Admiralty
Your telegram of 18 March (No. 105). His Majesty's Government in New Zealand are very uneasy whether the escort proposed from New Zealand to Australia (Canberra and Leander to 160 degrees east, thence Canberra and Australia) and onwards is sufficiently strong, and they would be glad to have information of the Admiralty's intentions regarding the escorting forces proposed for the whole voyage.
For the information of the Prime Minister, the Naval Board suggest that your reply to the foregoing should include an appreciation of the liability of attack by surface forces and the relative advantages of (a) a fast convoy with weak escort, and (b) a large, slow convoy with a stronger escort.