My present plan is to leave London with Brodribb [1] evening of
6th December, sailing by flying boat On 7th December from
Southampton. The Foreign Office disagree NorthCott [2] and Bostock
[3] travelling flying through neutral Italy and Greece so they are
travelling a day ahead of schedule in Australian Sunderland to
Alexandria, having thirtysix hours at Cairo discussing preliminary
arrangements with Commander in Chief of the Middle East [4] then
joining my flying boat. Please cable early if there is anything
you wish me to wait here for that would necessitate alteration of
the above.

Reference your telegram just received [5] regarding the despatch
of Division and suggestion that mid-December proposal is based on
inadequate regard to local considerations, see Northcott's cable
to Squires of 6th November [6] and Squires reply of 21st November.

[7] Actual shipping position has now changed and present proposal
is that subject to arrangement with New Zealand Government our
first Brigade group and New Zealand Brigade group should make up
convoy leaving Melbourne-Sydney about 2nd January instead of mid-
December and that remainder of our Division make up second convoy
early in March. It appears to me that this proposal largely
satisfies training outfitting and broad considerations that you
mentioned. See details of cable from Northcott to Squires today.

[8]

Northcott will discuss Field Artillery and other equipment
situation with War Office tomorrow. Full consultation is taking
place between us United States Government [sic] [9] and New
Zealand representative regarding shipping.

CASEY