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

If the Japanese surrender is accepted during the next few days, we assume that the United States will take the lead on all general matters such as the draft armistice terms, arrangements to meet plenipotentiaries and so forth, and we are awaiting their proposals. Meanwhile we ourselves are giving urgent consideration to plans and preparations for taking surrenders and occupying various areas in South-East Asia Command.

2. We shall of course keep you currently informed of developments here.

3. In view of the urgency of the situation we are also arranging for our Joint Staff Mission in Washington to keep in closest touch with their Dominion colleagues as regards military plans and developments. We suggest, therefore, that you should keep both us and your representatives at Washington informed of your views and comments.