– 309 –

Part III. army

‘(10) The United States Joint Working Committee contend that when the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff asked for six divisions for New Zealand they were not aware of United States intentions in the South Pacific as a whole, and that in view of these dispositions New Zealand will be reasonably [well] off with four divisions, viz., two New Zealand divisions, two United States divisions—the remaining New Zealand divisions to be moved to Fiji.

‘(11) The United States Joint Working Committee recommend that no air facilities except [those] which can be provided as a temporary measure by the United States Navy should be established at Vanua Levu, and in consequence the forces suggested in the Prime Minister's telegram [No. 273] of 22 April should be reviewed.

‘(12) Reference No. 144 of 12 April,¹ showing deficiencies in major items of equipment, the Joint Working Committee submit that owing to the munitions situation generally they can only recommend absolute essentials. Will you please advise urgently the minimum quantities required to complete the full establishment:

(a)	present New Zealand troops in Fiji;
(b)	one division Fiji reinforcement from New Zealand;
(c)	one division in New Zealand;
(d)	remaining New Zealand troops in New Zealand, in that order of priority.