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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III
317 — The Deputy of the Governor-General of New Zealand1 to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs
317
The Deputy of the Governor-General of New Zealand1 to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs
Your telegram of 14 July [No. 315].
I am advised that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand propose to despatch to Fanning Island a detachment of two officers and thirty other ranks. The detachment will leave New Zealand by HMS Leith2 on or about 4 September, and will carry out the preliminary work referred to in my telegram of 20 June [No. 314]. On completion of the preliminary work, the question of stationing the detachment at Fanning Island permanently in peace will be considered by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand.
The High Commisioner for the Western Pacific is being communicated with, and His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia are being advised of the action to be taken.
1 Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Myers, PC, GCMG, KC; then Chief Justice of New Zealand.
2 HMS Leith, sloop, 990 tons, two 4·7-inch guns; at this time attached to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy.