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

His Majesty's Government in New Zealand have noted the directive sent to General Wavell as Supreme Commander of the ABDA area. They are, however, particularly concerned with the situation in that part of the South-Western Pacific which is not included in this area. In this connection they observe that General Wavell's command does not include the communications across the Pacific from the American continent to Australia, notwithstanding the reference to the matter in your telegram dated 29 December [No. 112].

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They assume, therefore, that the larger question of unification of the whole Pacific Ocean with the ABDA area, particularly as regards the naval forces, raised in my telegram of 30 December [No. 113], and also that of the Prime Minister of Australia to the Australian Minister, Washington, on 30 December,¹ is still under discussion.

His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would be grateful if specific information could be given as soon as possible of the measures contemplated to ensure co-ordination of naval, military and air defence in the whole of the Pacific area, including New Zealand and Fiji, as the apparent isolation of New Zealand at the present time is causing them considerable anxiety.