Gandalf and the council of White Wizards

[Haramu]

The Hobbit

"It appeared that Gandalf had been to a great council of the white wizards, master of lore and good magic... "

Who were these white wizards? Was Tolkien just referring to the White council?

Gandalf hinted the Dark Lord's Return

"...The North will be freed from that horror for many long years, I hope. Yet I wish he (Necromancer) were banished from the world!"...

Did Gandalf know Sauron would soon return?