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

246 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand1

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246
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand1

3 February 1941

Governor-General's telegram of 22 November [No. 242] and the telegram from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific of 5 January to the Colonial Office [No. 243], repeated to you.

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom greatly appreciate the offer of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand to assist in the defence of Tonga and would be grateful if the New Zealand Government would arrange, in consultation with the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, for the despatch of the key personnel and equipment proposed. We welcome the proposal at (e) in the High Commissioner's telegram under reference, that a New Zealand officer should take over command of the local force, and we hope that the New Zealand Government will be able to arrange for an officer to be posted accordingly.

2. It is noted that it is stated in your telegram under reference that the New Zealand Government are prepared to supply such additional equipment as may be required. The United Kingdom authorities understand, however, that the New Zealand Liaison Officer in London has been informed that the New Zealand authorities propose to supply some but not all the equipment suggested by the Agent at Tonga in a statement which was discussed with the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff on their visit to the island last July. In view of this latter telegram we are not clear whether the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff regard the outstanding items recommended by the Agent as unnecessary, or whether it is desired that they should be obtained from other sources.

1 Repeated to the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific.

page 277 It is thought that most of these outstanding items (other than the 6-inch coast defence guns) could be supplied from Australia, and it is suggested that if they are thought to be necessary the question of their supply from Australia might be taken up with the Commonwealth authorities subsequently by the New Zealand Government or by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific.

3. As regards the Agent's suggestion that three 6-inch coast defence guns should be provided, we note that the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff made no mention of this in their report, which was approved by the New Zealand Government (see your telegram under reference). The New Zealand Government will have seen from my telegram of 17 January that the question of the provision of defences for minor ports is under review, and it will be appreciated that it may be impossible to supply guns to all places which are in need of them. If, therefore, the provision of coast defence guns for Tonga is recommended, we should be glad to know whether in the New Zealand Government's view:

(a)

it would be possible to reduce the number required from three to two or one, and,
(b)

the Tonga requirements should take priority over the requirements of Fiji for two 6-inch guns (see your telegram No. 15 of 17 January1).

1 Not published. Discussed the role and siting of coast defence guns in Fiji.

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