438 Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London, to Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister
Cablegram 472 LONDON, 25 June 1940, 10.58 p.m.
FOR THE PRIME MINISTER SECRET
In view of collapse of France, United Kingdom Government is anxious with regard to supplies of nickel and chrome from New Caledonia. Imperative they should not become available to the enemy. To achieve this, attitude of local Government in New Caledonia of utmost importance. Only information on this point available here is an External Affairs Department telegram No. 468 [1], but as understood that a number of New Caledonian activities are controlled from Sydney, considered that you might be in a position to supplement it. Also suggested that it might be desirable for you unostentatiously to send a well qualified resolute [2] man to New Caledonia to keep you advised of attitude of the Government and to ensure its continuance in right direction.
BRUCE