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

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

308
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

10 August 1940

My telegram of 10 July (No. 300).

Escort for the Forestry companies can now be arranged by the Admiralty if the troops can be accommodated in the Awatea, or other suitable vessel, and sailed in convoy US 4 or US 5 (depending on the speed of the vessel) as far as Fremantle. The probable date of sailing and approved escort for US 5 are as stated in the Australian. Commonwealth Naval Board's signals of 5 August, repeated to the New Zealand Naval Board.1

An armed merchant cruiser which is being transferred from the China to the South Atlantic Station will provide the onward escort from Fremantle; from Sierra Leone onward the vessel would be included in one of the regular escorted convoy sailings to the United Kingdom. In order that the diversion of the armed merchant cruiser may be arranged the Admiralty would be glad to learn at the earliest possible date whether these suggestions are acceptable to His Majesty's Government in New Zealand.

Arrangements will be made for the military training of these troops to be completed in the United Kingdom if it has not been fully carried out in New Zealand.