New Zealand Treasury

Government

The New Zealand Treasury (in Māori, Kaitohutohu Kaupapa Rawa) is a public sector organisation and the Government’s lead advisor on economic and financial policy. Its role is to help the Government improve economic performance and manage scarce resources. The Treasury has four main functions: Providing advice to improve the economic and fiscal conditions for high levels of economic growth and ...

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Documents about New Zealand Treasury

Tuesday 9th January 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet informed of finance deal with Turks, new government in China by Japan. Rumour Hitler's HQ moved to Dutch frontier
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Adolf Hitler
place Finland
place Turkey
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Informal notes on meeting: “Foolish…no one had the least idea of what was involved.”
place Great Britain
place Kenya
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet discusses supply and manpower. 48th Division moved to France, joining the British Expeditionary Force
person Anthony Eden
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Ernest Brown
person Andrew Duncan
person Neville Chamberlain
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
person Oliver Stanley
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Churchill announces loss HMS Exmouth. Finns bomb Kronstadt, Baltiski. German press accuse UK of violating Dutch neutrality
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Winston Churchill
person Neville Chamberlain
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
person Oliver Stanley
place Finland
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation BBC
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet discusses US plans to disrupt Axis trade, agrees volunteers to Finns. Japan protests seizure of vessel Asama Maru
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Arthur Robinson (Australian politician)
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
place Greece
place Finland
place Russian Empire
place West Germany
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract U-boat sighted Swansea. Japanese Ambassador warns of “incalculable possibilities” over Asama Maru seizure.
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Harold Wilson
place Finland
place Egypt
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet “doubtful” over use of colonial forces. Discusses price and wage control and solutions to Asama Maru dispute
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Kingsley Wood
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
place Finland
place Tokyo
place Rome
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Snowfall hampering air ops. Cabinet argues export deal with Italy extensively. Note of regret to Japan over ship seizure
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Kingsley Wood
person Woodrow Wilson
place Greece
place Finland
place Hong Kong
place Morocco
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Friday 2nd February 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet discuss new talks with Indian political leaders. First Australian and NZ troops now en route from Sri Lanka
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Samuel Hoare
person Woodrow Wilson
place Finland
place Brussels
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Russia delivers "a series of hammer blows” against Finland. Lord Halifax: Mussolini “no longer convinced” of Nazi victory
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Stafford Cripps
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person Kingsley Wood
place Finland
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place Iran
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract Supreme War Council agrees to send 3 divisions to Finland. PM: “Finland must not be allowed to disappear off the map”
person Alexander Cadogan
person Stafford Cripps
person Sydney Brenner
person Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
place Finland
place Russian Empire
place Trondheim
place East Germany
place Hungary
place Moscow
place Republic of China
place Rome
place West Germany
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Our National Resources in Relation to our War Effort.

extract Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir John Simon warns of projected £400m balance of payments deficit by summer 1940
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Finns forced to abandon some front-line positions. UK Ambassador Rome reports “no prospect” of economic deal with Italy
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Franklin D. Roosevelt
person Kingsley Wood
person Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
place Finland
place Bulgaria
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Churchill reports loss of HMS Daring. UK naval casualties estimated to have reached 2700 since the start of the war
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Winston Churchill
place Finland
place Narvik
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Serious shipping losses. Air Officials consider sending bomber force to attack German fleet
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Kingsley Wood
person Ernest Brown
place Finland
place Rome
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Blizzard conditions reported from Finland. Cabinet discusses legal justification for intervention in Norwegian territory
person Anthony Eden
person Samuel Hoare
person Woodrow Wilson
place Heligoland
place Finland
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract After extended debate Cabinet agrees to postpone decision on mining Norwegian waters to prevent German attack for a week
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Walter Hines Page
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Swedes (Germanic tribe)
person Woodrow Wilson
place Finland
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Norway suggests arbitration over naval dispute. Cabinet discusses statement on its planned blockade of Norwegian waters
person Anthony Eden
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
place Finland
place Helsinki
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Finns forced to withdraw to second line of Mannerheim defence system. Rumour Germany anxious to mediate in this conflict
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
person Woodrow Wilson
place Finland
place East Germany
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place Turkey
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Friday 1st March 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet told shipping situation “greatest bottleneck" in whole war effort. Losses cause 10% cut in projected food supply
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Samuel Hoare
person Harold Wilson
person Andrew Duncan
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
place Great Britain
place Finland
place Isle of Portland
place Narvik
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract US military attaché requests data on British forces and plans. Cabinet directs Foreign Office to refuse
extract German attacks on shipping now reaching as far west as Isle of Wight. UK has no technology to intercept night air attacks
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Sumner Welles
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Samuel Hoare
person John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon
person Oliver Stanley
person Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
person Woodrow Wilson
place Heligoland
place Finland
place Europe
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation French Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet informed of German raid on British lines in the Saarland. Two soldiers killed, 16 captured
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Stafford Cripps
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Ernest Brown
person Harold Wilson
person Andrew Duncan
place Finland
place Egypt
place Rome
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Secret understanding with Sweden delaying German ore imports at ports and railway stations. Von Ribbentrop to visit Rome
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Harold Wilson
person Joachim von Ribbentrop
place Heligoland
place Finland
place Iceland
place Narvik
place Denmark
place Rome
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM on Sumner Welles mission: “aiming for the impossible”. No peace without “real change of outlook in Germany”
person Sumner Welles
person Adolf Hitler
person Harold Wilson
person Joachim von Ribbentrop
place Great Britain
place Finland
place Halifax Peninsula
place Singapore
place Europe
place Berlin
place Rome
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation Canadian Forces Maritime Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Approach to be made to Japanese government to limit trade with Germany and Russia. Military aid to Finland halted
place Great Britain
place Finland
place Russian Empire
place East Germany
place Hong Kong
place Europe
place Tokyo
place Iran
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Department of State
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
 

Supply and Production. Seventh Monthly Report of the Ministry of Supply covering the Month of February, 1940.

extract Supply Minister: Serious effects on production from February weather and flu outbreak. Explosives and ammo worst affected
place Finland
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
 

Meeting minutes

extract Chiefs of Staff: “very little we could do to prevent Holland being overrun”. Effect of air action would be “very limited”
extract PM Chamberlain keen on mining operation on Rhine and Norwegian waters. Cabinet agrees to urge this in Allied War Council
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Harold Wilson
place Ankara
place Russian Empire
place Narvik
place Turkey
place Europe
place Rome
place West Germany
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
organisation 335th Fighter Squadron
 

Meeting minutes

extract Dutch Foreign Minister rejects discussions with UK government over arrangements to resist German invasion of Netherlands
extract USSR offers to reopen trade talks with UK. Ambassador Maisky denies military alliance with Germany
person Harold Wilson
person Neville Chamberlain
place Athens
place Ankara
place Russian Empire
place Iraq
place Turkey
place Rome
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Tuesday 2nd April 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet complains to BBC that news reports are repeating German accounts of naval and air engagements as well as British
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Harold Wilson
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Russian Empire
place Narvik
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK to support Afghans in case of Soviet aggression. Rhine mining operation abandoned at French insistence
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Ronnie Campbell
person Harold Wilson
person Neville Chamberlain
place Afghanistan
place Halifax Peninsula
place Singapore
place North America
place West Germany
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Friday 17th May 1940

Dispersal of Persons Resident in the Immediate Neighbourhood of Specific Targets.

extract Chamberlain circulates report on evacuation. No chance of "any appreciable response" from public until air attacks occur
person Neville Chamberlain
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Additional Powers.

extract Chamberlain circulates report on government’s suggested new powers over labour, property and UK stock exchange and banks
person Neville Chamberlain
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Action to be taken by the B.B.C. in the Event of an Air Attack on this Country.

extract Information Minister circulates plan for BBC in the event of air attacks. Fighter Command may close down all transmitters
person Duff Cooper
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Monday 24th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Report former French Cabinet now in Rabat. Information Minister to fly to Morocco to convince group to form government
person Charles de Gaulle
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
place Algeria
place Morocco
place Syria
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Economic Help from the Americas. Text of a Telegram despatched to H.M. Ambassador, Washington.

extract Washington embassy instructed to approach US government for more economic support and to deny resources to Germany, Italy
person Arthur Greenwood
place Europe
place Washington
place West Germany
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Government of Canada
organisation United States Congress
 

Saturday 13th July 1940

Meeting minutes

extract UK monitoring Belgian and Polish gold stocks transferred to Senegal. Plan to move former to S. Africa with Congo as cover
place South Africa
place Dakar
place Africa
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet rejects plan to transfer British fascists to St. Helena. To be kept in UK "under suitable conditions"
extract Cabinet divided over a response to the recent speech by Herr Hitler. PM Churchill to consult more widely
extract Halifax warns of impact of possible US oil embargo on UK stocks, Japan may be "stung" into seizing Dutch East Indies
extract First Sea Lord: Enemy air attacks on Malta continuing, three raids yesterday. "Only slight damage"
extract Air Chief: Enemy air activity concentrated against Channel shipping and Straits of Dover. "A few isolated raids" inland
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Hugh Dalton
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person Adolf Hitler
person Clement Attlee
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
person Farouk of Egypt
place Hamburg
place Portugal
place Trondheim
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place Madrid
place Sicily
place Malta
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet discusses UK response to a future Japanese invasion of Dutch East Indies. Chiefs of Staff cannot agree a policy
extract General de Gaulle to be consulted before Cabinet responds to French complaints over leaflet drops, detention of officials
extract Halifax reports arrest of 9 British citizens in Tokyo. Rumour USSR will shortly extend its control of Polish government
extract Admiralty to examine apparent delay in getting anti-aircraft defences into action when enemy aircraft appear
extract Air Chief: Enemy losses so far today 8 for certain, 8 probable, 6 possible. One UK pilot killed, several machines damaged
person Alexander Cadogan
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Stafford Cripps
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Tokyo
place Morocco
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of Canada
organisation United States Army
organisation Bank of England
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: If Britons arrested in Tokyo not returned within 2-3 days UK should “seize ten or twelve Japanese subjects”
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Cranborne
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
 

Monday 5th August 1940

Holidays.

extract Minister of Labour recommends relaxing rules on holidays due to "exhaustion from which workpeople are suffering"
person Arthur Greenwood
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Pay of the Fighting Services.

extract Chancellor refuses to allow tax free cigarettes and beer to armed forces. Instead proposes sixpence a day wage increase
person Kingsley Wood
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet told three Australian government ministers and Chief of Australian General Staff killed in Canberra air accident
extract Air Chief: Total civilian and service casualties during 24 hours ending at 0600 this morning 63 killed and 155 injured
extract Air Chief: So far today 6 confirmed, 11 unconfirmed enemy losses. 3 of our own aircraft crashed, 2 unaccounted for
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Stafford Cripps
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place East Germany
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation United Nations
organisation Home Fleet
organisation Bank of England
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM: President Roosevelt hopes to begin supplying destroyers this week (up to 50) with additional rifles, aircraft, ships
extract Information Minister to address false press reports RAF has bombed 5 divisions of troops in France massing for invasion
extract Cabinet approves violating Swiss airspace in raids on N. Italy. Air Secretary: Necessary "to attack certain targets"
extract General Haining: Evacuation of our forces in British Somaliland complete with little loss. HMAS Hobart remaining in area
extract Cabinet express concern at ground losses of RAF aircraft, 40 destroyed at one aerodrome. Air Secretary to order inquiry
extract RAF report casualties today 22 machines lost (12 pilots saved). Enemy 126 confirmed, 26 probable and 13 downed by AA fire
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Walter Hines Page
person Kingsley Wood
person Bob Kerslake
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Clement Attlee
person Frederick Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton
place Somaliland
place Moscow
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Gold and Exchange Resources. Summary of Position.

extract Chancellor "seriously perturbed" at UK's gold and foreign exchange reserves. Britain "out of gold by the end of December"
person William Patrick Stuart-Houston
person Kingsley Wood
place South Africa
place New York, Lincolnshire
place Egypt
place Iraq
place North America
place Sudan
place South America
place Newfoundland, Kentucky
place Burma
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Bank of England
 

Meeting minutes

extract Supply Minister: Better to risk the financial side than risk losing the war. Suggests part sale of West Indies to USA
extract PM refuses to rule out requisition of wedding rings and gold ornaments. "Striking gesture" for "shaming the Americans"
person William Lyon Mackenzie King
place South Africa
place Caribbean
place North America
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Bank of England
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Gabon to follow General de Gaulle in line with the rest of French Equatorial Africa. Hope for New Caledonia coup
extract Cabinet informed of attack on Scilly Isles, now in "state of considerable panic". PM: "Isles must be held at all costs"
extract Cabinet discuss shipping losses. Navy working on deep sea mining and anti-submarine research. More air support hoped for
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Andrew Greenwood
person Charles de Gaulle
place New Caledonia
place North America
place Africa
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation United States Navy
 

Wednesday 4th September 1940

Creation of new Aircraft capacity in U.S.A.

extract Chancellor: Cost of plan to buy aircraft from USA "vast". "There is no prospect of our having dollars to pay these sums"
person Kingsley Wood
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM to contact Canadian government to try and gain access to French gold held by Bank of Canada to help UK dollar position
person William Lyon Mackenzie King
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Government of Canada
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill tells Air Secretary Sinclair that his decision to reject indiscriminate bombing "may stand for the present"
extract Air Secretary tells PM that he will not issue new orders to RAF because UK policy is to attack "only military objectives"
extract Homeless in East End of London to be transferred to districts further west. Cabinet approves relief fund by Lord Mayor
extract First Sea Lord: Destroyers sweeping French coast to find small craft bound for UK. Report of force off Ostend "incorrect"
extract Air Chief: London attacks "quite indiscriminate". Cabinet agree RAF to unload bombs whether or not their target located
extract Air Chief: UK air casualties in last 24 hours 20 (15 pilots safe). Enemy: 52 destroyed, 11 more probable, 13 damaged
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Ernest Brown
person Neville Chamberlain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Berlin
place Kenya
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Evacuation of Government Departments: "Grey" Move.

extract Clement Attlee details plans to move 60,000 civil servants out of London. Tells Cabinet half have already left
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Tuesday 1st October 1940

Compensation for War Damage to Property.

extract Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes 3% tax on property to pay for repair and reconstruction of bombed out houses
person Kingsley Wood
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Swiss Minister now discussing UK airspace violations "with complete good humour". Hopes RAF will use mainly Geneva route
extract Cabinet agrees to reopen Burma Road. PM: Right decision, do not believe Japan will "declare war upon us as a result"
extract Air Chief: Air casualties 1 machine (pilot safe but wounded), Enemy 10. Weather very bad but a few bombers reached Berlin
extract Air Chief: 250 enemy aircraft over UK yesterday "only dropped a few bombs on the South Coast"
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Stafford Cripps
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person Leo Amery
place Berlin, New York
place Singapore
place Malta
place Burma
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Report invasion of UK postponed to Spring 1941. PM: "Premature to dismiss possibility of an attempt being made"
extract Air Chief: Enemy activity "rather heavier than usual" overnight. St. Paul's Cathedral hit, choir and altar badly damaged
extract Cabinet postpones Jewish recruiting campaign until US Presidential Election. Halifax: "No question" of abandoning scheme
extract Cabinet told Coventry aircraft factory strike now in 3rd week. Public feeling "said to be running high against strikers"
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
place East Germany
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Sudan
place Libreville
place Washington
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation British Army
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Admiralty: UK cannot currently assemble strong fleet at Straits of Gibraltar. Again urge "tolerable agreement" with Vichy
extract Halifax opposes bombing Vichy if France attacks Gibraltar. Ambassador authorised to deliver this "threat" to deter attack
extract "Serious damage" to Treasury overnight in London bombing. "Minor scale of attack on Birmingham and Liverpool"
extract Air Chief: All overnight UK bomber missions cancelled due to adverse weather. Equipment for landings in fog being fitted
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Walter Hines Page
person Stafford Cripps
person Samuel Hoare
person Ernest Bevin
person Kingsley Wood
person Bob Kerslake
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Newcastle upon Tyne
place Cranborne
place Hong Kong
place Gibraltar
place Dakar
place Africa
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation ING Group
 

London Transport in the Winter Months.

extract Home Secretary issues warning over London transport in winter. Suggests evacuation of certain businesses, early closing
person Herbert Morrison
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract President Roosevelt has issued protest "in strongest terms" against France permitting Germany to use its Fleet against UK
extract King George telegrams Petain over French fleet: "Confident you will reject proposal that would bring dishonour to France"
extract General Dill: "No confirmation" received of the rumours of an impending Italian attack on Greece
extract Home Secretary: "Considerable damage" to Birmingham. Both railway stations, Town Hall hit. Damage in London negligible
extract PM welcomes Air Marshall Portal as new Chief of the Air Staff. Birmingham "heavily attacked" overnight
extract Halifax: French considering handover of fleet and bases to Germany. King George to issue urgent appeal to Marshall Petain
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Maxime Weygand
person Malcolm MacDonald
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place Sudan
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Navy
 

Wednesday 6th November 1940

Meeting minutes

extract UK Naval Attaché Washington has seen "hypothetical" US Navy plans for entering war. Far East "second place" to Europe
extract Cabinet told Roosevelt likely to be re-elected "by a large majority". Election may turn out to be "democratic landslide"
extract General Dill: Indications Italian advance in Western Desert may be resumed. We might expect an attack about 9th November
extract Halifax to press Bulgaria for assurance she will not attack Greece, in order to release Greek troops for Albanian front
extract General Dill: Greek army now mobilised, Italian morale low. UK reinforcing Crete so Greek Division can fight on mainland
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Duff Cooper
person Samuel Hoare
person Ernest Bevin
person Kingsley Wood
person John Dill
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Europe
place Dakar
place Bulgaria
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation House of Lords
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Navy
 

Disclosure of Secret Information to the United States of America.

extract Negotiators with US urge UK to "come clean" on operational & technical secrets, especially Henry Tizard "secret devices"
person Arthur Greenwood
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Chancellor: Greeks have misunderstood Treasury's position. UK offering "them more than they had asked". First advance £5m
extract Halifax: Greek government "keenly disappointed" by "ungenerous attitude" of UK Treasury in supplying financial aid
extract Morrison: Local people "shaken" and "bitter" but "kept their heads". King's visit "of the utmost value" recovering morale
extract Morrison: Damage to munitions production in Coventry less extensive than feared but water and gas positions "bad"
extract PM Churchill: Clear we cannot increase our air reinforcements to Greece beyond what we have already arranged to send
extract General Dill: Greeks have crossed Albanian border, captured town of Bilishti. General Papagos requests more air support
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Stafford Cripps
place Athens
place Greece
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
place Albania
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation United States Navy
organisation BBC
 

Dispersal of Aircraft Factories.

extract Beaverbrook: Dispersing aircraft factories offering "better prospects" for production but costs "enormous sums of money"
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Wednesday 4th December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Diplomats in Washington and Geneva receiving reports of "growing restiveness and discontent in Italy"
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
person Andrew Duncan
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place North America
place Sicily
place Valona, California
place Bristol
place Madrid, New York
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation RAF Fighter Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet concerned at Spanish action in Tangiers: "an unpleasing analogy with the conduct of Italy" before entry into war
extract Morrison: 10,000 people made homeless in Sheffield overnight in addition to 10,000 homeless from raid on 12th December
extract PM Churchill: These operations constitute an event of first-class importance. Results "more than we had dared to hope"
extract General Dill: Enemy air attacks now chief menace but 30,000 prisoners taken, 100 guns and 50 tanks. UK casualties 500
extract General Dill: Halfaya cleared, Sollum and Fort Capuzzo still held by the enemy. Weather has turned from sandstorm to rain
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place Egypt
place Tangier
place Malta
place Alexandria
place Madrid, New York
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Navy
 

Report by the Far Eastern Committee.

extract Japan "likely to be encouraged by our enemies to attack British interests if she gets the chance", reports Foreign Office
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Portugal
place Turkey
place Europe
place Thailand
place Republic of China
place Burma
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
organisation Commonwealth of Nations
 

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: 18,500 people successfully rehoused in Sheffield. Homeless there reduced to about 1,500
extract Talks proceeding on new finance deal with US. President Roosevelt hopes to put matter before Congress in "a few days"
extract General Dill: Some Sikh troops in Hong Kong apparently object "to wearing steel helmets". A number have been arrested
extract General Dill: Unconfirmed reports of German troops moving through Hungary, either to Roumania, Yugoslavia or Bulgaria
extract General Dill: Preparations for attack on Bardia continuing. Garrison believed to be 13,400. 40,000 prisoners now taken
person Walter Hines Page
person Herbert Morrison
place Athens
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Hungary
place Hong Kong
place Manchester, New Hampshire
place Bulgaria
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Morning Star (UK newspaper)
organisation Indian National Congress
 

Tuesday 14th January 1941

Meeting minutes

extract PM: For the Greeks "to be the judges of the German reactions". All evidence points to "German move south"
extract Eden: Prince Paul of Yugoslavia alarmed at UK military assistance to Greece. Fears may provoke German attack on Salonika
place Athens
place Greece
place Belgrade
place Bulgaria
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Meeting minutes

extract Renewed warning of German plans for gas attack. "Very few people" now carry gas masks. Home Secretary to consider steps
extract Morrison: "Sporadic, but widespread" air attack yesterday. "As many as 100 people might be trapped" by bomb in Lambeth
extract Air Chief: Overnight raid on Wilhelmshaven "very successful". Two enemy machines brought down near London last night
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Hugh Dalton
person Herbert Morrison
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
person Andrew Duncan
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation House of Lords
 

Thursday 13th February 1941

Meeting minutes

extract PM directs Japanese vessel Asaka Maru be permitted to travel to Lisbon to "give more time" to consider action to be taken
extract Cadogan: Unconfirmed report all Japanese ships have received orders to return to Japan by the 1st March
extract Cadogan: Yugoslavia seems to be "under German pressure". Report Italian forces in Tripoli being evacuated by sea to Italy
extract PM: Hope Bomber Command realise we do not press for bombing operations to be undertaken when weather unfavourable
extract Air Chief: Fog on 11th rendered landing impossible. Crews ordered to bale out, 22 aircraft lost. All but 5 crew safe
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Andrew Greenwood
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Kingsley Wood
place Cranborne
place Malta
place Kismayo
place Lisbon, New York
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
 

Tuesday 18th March 1941

The Coal Position. Monthly Report by the Secretary for Mines covering February, 1941.

extract Mines Secretary: "No further serious difficulty" in meeting current coal consumption will be experienced this winter
place South Wales
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Thursday 17th April 1941

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Palace of Westminster "considerably damaged". Damage to Admiralty building, Selfridges, Kidbrooke aerodrome
extract Morrison: Attack on London last night affected 66 boroughs, especially Central and South London. 40 serious fires
person Herbert Morrison
person Duff Cooper
person Telesforo Trinidad
place Cranborne
place Iraq
place Madrid
place Basra
place Dublin
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

New Construction Programme, 1941.

extract Admiralty proposes further extension to Navy's "sink at sight" zone to whole of Adriatic and Aegean except Turkish waters
extract First Lord of the Admiralty circulates naval construction programme for the year ahead. No new capital ships in 1941
place Fiji
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation United States Navy
 

Thursday 8th May 1941

Meeting minutes

extract Eden: I think Stalin's open assumption of power shows he realises the clouds are gathering
extract PM: Enemy "short of ammunition, petrol and food". "With good fortune the Battle of Egypt might well turn in our favour"
extract PM informs Cabinet Operation Tiger, to send tank reinforcements to General Wavell through the Mediterranean, is underway
extract Air Chief: "Light night" led to 23 enemy aircraft being brought down. Air Secretary to congratulate Fighter Command
person Walter Hines Page
person Herbert Morrison
person Joseph Stalin
place Egypt
place Iceland
place Manchester, New Hampshire
place Syria
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation United Nations
 

Monday 23rd June 1941

Reports for Month of May 1941 for the Dominions, India, Burma, and the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories.

extract Dominions Secretary: Germany has expressed regret for "accidental" bombing of Dublin in May. Offered compensation
person Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook
place Greece
place Iraq
place Iceland
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Cyprus
place Syria
place Africa
place Northern Ireland
place Burma
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Labour Party (UK)
 

Saturday 5th July 1941

London Defence Exercise. Report by the Home Defence Committee.

extract Home Defence Committee planning "London invasion exercise". Public will be informed of exercise but not its date
place Eyre Peninsula
place London, Ontario
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Netherlands)
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Air Force F.C.