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

My most secret telegram of 16 August [No. 317].

In view of the instructions now transmitted to the Chief of the Naval Staff¹ in New Zealand by the Admiralty, with reference to the movements of HMS Leith,² the arrangements proposed for the transport to Fanning Island of the preliminary force contemplated will no longer be feasible.

His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would be grateful for a very early intimation of the views of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom as to whether it would be advisable to arrange for this detachment or for the full establishment contemplated to be despatched by a special vessel, and, if so, at what date they would consider this most desirable. His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would be glad also of any views that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom might have to express as to the possibility of escort or the risk involved.