Memorandum by WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, for the War Cabinet entitled "Australian and New Zealand Naval Defence (Winter 1939)". [expands on content of CHAR 20/15/10].

Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC requesting fighter aircraft to meet the likely Japanese attack from 1 division, 2 aircraft carriers and other naval units and to protect the main ports of Auckland and Wellington; provision is being made for a network of RDF [radar] air warning stations, the development of an air observer corps, and of new aerodromes with runways suitable for heavy United States bombers.

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin]: quotes a telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding the political and military representation of Australia, New Zealand and Dutch East Indies [later Indonesia] [see CHAR 20/69B/79-80], and asks for comments.

Telegram from WSC to Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] regarding New Zealand's requests for war material: states that there is a large flow of reinforcements of all kinds into the ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] area; feels that "we are already heading dangerously near the point where the spreading of our resources must lead to a general weakness".

Telegram from WSC to Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] regarding the creation of a separate command organisation for the ANZAC [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] area: proposes the setting up in Eastern Australia of a combined staff under the American Naval Commander in Chief, to comprise representatives of New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Great Britain.

Telegram from the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] to WSC expressing New Zealand's desire to be represented on the War Cabinet.

Telegram from Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] to WSC: expresses relief that only one brigade of the New Zealand Division will now be used by General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East]; states that the information provided by WSC [see CHAR 20/70/2-3] will deal with any criticism concerning the retention of British troops in the Britain; states that public opinion is sound but equipment is badly needed.

Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC agreeing to ask the United States for fighter squadrons, and commenting on the strategic importance of New Zealand: suggests that the loss of the ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] area leads to a need for new bases and to a possible Japanese threat to Australia and New Zealand; believes that New Zealand must become a main base area and requests it be equipped and defended as such.

Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC regarding the provision of fighter aircraft for New Zealand: asks WSC to help arrange the diversion of two United States pursuit squadrons; comments on the need for fighter aircraft.

Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC listing specific resources required by air force, army and navy in order to defend New Zealand against a Japanese invasion force.

Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC proposing to move Walter Nash [Minister of New Zealand in the United States] from Washington to London to become Resident Minister on the War Cabinet and on the Pacific War Council; asks whether there is any possibility of the Pacific War Council moving to Washington.