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The acting Prime Minister of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs¹

With reference to your Circular telegram of 15 July [No. 28] and my reply of 16 July [No. 29], His Majesty's Government in New Zealand have given further consideration to the implications of the proposed denunciation of the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty in the event of steps being taken by Japan to obtain bases in Indo-China, and they have asked their Prime Minister to draw attention to the proposal contained in your telegram M.93 of 22 May² which in their opinion merits urgent consideration at the present time. His Majesty's Government in New Zealand hold to the belief that the most effective step at this stage would be a joint declaration by the United Kingdom, Australian, New Zealand, Netherlands East Indies and United States Governments emphasising that any move likely to prejudice the security line which runs from Malaya to New Zealand through the Netherlands East Indies equally concerns all affected parties and must be regarded as an attack on all. Even if the United States find themselves unable to join publicly in this proposed declaration, His Majesty's Government in New Zealand are of the opinion that the British Governments concerned, together with the Government of the Netherlands East Indies, should without delay make known their identity of views and interests on this matter.