WAR DEPARTMENT                       
              HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY AIR FORCES
                           WASHINGTON
 
                                        February 17, 1942.
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
 
 
     Reference is made to memorandum  from the White House, February
13, 1942, inclosing letter from the Under Secretary of State, dated
February 11, 1942, with reference to a communication from the New
Zealand Minister, Mr. Nash, concerning conditions inNew Caledonia,
copy of which is attached.
                             
     Arrangements have been made this date with the New Zealand
Minister, through Group Captain Isitt, New Zealand Air Attache, to 
turn over to the New Zealand Government six aircraft (type 0-47), 
for the purpose of alleviating  the reported condition in New Caled-
onia. These aircraft were part of a shipment reported to have arrived
in Brisbane, Australia, aboard the S.S. Hammondsport, on February 5,
1942.
 
     It is felt by this office after consultation with the New Zealand 
Legation that the above arrangements will be eminently satisfactory.
 
     Attached is a letter for your signature to the Under Secretary of 
State.
 
                                                               
                              /s/ H.H. Arnold
                              Lieutenant General, U. S. A.,
Incl. -memo fr. N.Z. Air Hq.            Chief of the Army Air Forces.
     draft ltr to Under Sec.State.