Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III
162 — The Prime Minister of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs1
162
The Prime Minister of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs1
Following from Prime Minister for Prime Minister:
1 Repeated to the Prime Minister of Australia and the New Zealand Minister, Washington.
2. There are a number of matters of detail on which we are not as yet clear and on which it might be desirable or necessary to comment in due course. To enter into such matters at the present moment, however, would seem to us to be inappropriate, and at the moment it seems adequate to say that we are prepared to accept the scheme as outlined in general principle by yourself and President Roosevelt and, for our part, to do our utmost to ensure its efficient operation.
3. We trust, however, that the close collaboration between Australia and New Zealand which has recently been agreed upon between the Australian and New Zealand Governments will not be weakened, and that if the Supreme Commander should leave the Anzac area an effective co-ordinating staff will be retained.
4. Believe me also, we warmly appreciate and greatly value the assurance contained in the second paragraph of your telegram [No. 160].
1 General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief United States Forces in the Philippines, 1941–42; Supreme Commander Allied Forces, South-West Pacific Area, 1942–45; C-in-C Far East and Supreme Commander for Allied Powers in Japan, 1945–51; Commander-in-Chief United Nations Forces in Korea, 1950–51.