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The Prime Minister to the Hon. W. Perry,² c/o Headquarters, No. 1 Islands Group (Espiritu Santo)

War Cabinet have agreed to the terms of Barrowclough's telegram and he has been advised accordingly. I trust that as a result of your conversations with Admiral Halsey our manpower difficulties are realised and it is understood in this connection that we will be unable to reinforce Barrowclough beyond the number he already has in his pool, and that further production in New Zealand for the South Pacific area can only be made possible henceforward by withdrawals from the armed services.