In 1934, Australia undertook a significant diplomatic initiative known as the Australian Eastern Mission, a journey that spanned from March 21 to June 14. While publicly presented as a goodwill tour, this mission harbored crucial commercial, diplomatic, and strategic aims, fundamentally reshaping Australia's approach to its Asian neighbors. It marked a pivotal moment where Australia began to assert its own interests distinct from those of the British
Empire, particularly in the aftermath of the Manchurian Crisis. Led by John Latham, the mission focused heavily on China, the Netherlands East Indies, and Japan, with shorter engagements in British colonies and the American-administered Philippines. This endeavor laid critical groundwork for Australia's independent engagement with Asia, influencing its trade and foreign policies in the years leading up to World War II.
Navigating Complexities: Japan and the Manchurian Crisis
A major focus of the 1934 Eastern Mission was Australia's relationship with Japan, especially in the wake of the Manchurian Crisis. The mission's leader, John Latham, actively sought information about trading opportunities across Asia, engaging in frequent and detailed discussions with prime ministers, foreign ministers, premiers, and governors regarding Australia's trading and commercial interests, customs duties, and tariffs. In Japan, Latham held a significant meeting with Foreign Minister Kōki Hirota on May 12, 1934. The primary topics of discussion were the Japanese occupation of Manchuria and Japan's recent withdrawal from the League of Nations.
Latham's efforts to encourage Japan to rejoin the League were met with a firm rebuff. Hirota explicitly stated that de jure recognition of Manchukuo, the Japanese puppet state in Manchuria, would be a prerequisite for Japan's return to internationalism. This interaction highlighted the diplomatic challenges Australia faced in influencing major regional powers. The mission's confidential report later acknowledged that while it clarified Japan's position on Manchuria, it failed to steer Japan back towards internationalism. This direct engagement, however, provided Australia with firsthand insights into Japan's geopolitical stance, which would prove crucial for future policy decisions.
Expanding Influence: Trade and Diplomatic Presence in Asia
The mission's itinerary was extensive, covering the Netherlands East Indies, British Malaya, Singapore, French Indochina, British Hong Kong, China, Japan, and the Philippines. The majority of the mission's time was dedicated to the Netherlands East Indies (11 days), China (14 days), and Japan (12 days), underscoring their importance to Australia's emerging regional strategy. Latham's private directives from Prime Minister Lyons included not only understanding Japan's attitude towards the League of Nations and the Manchurian question but also raising concerns about Japanese military activities in the South Seas Mandate, which bordered Australia's own mandate in New Guinea.
Following the mission, Latham strongly advocated for the expansion of Australia's trade commissioner service, with particular priority given to China and the Dutch East Indies. He envisioned these trade commissioners playing a dual role, combining diplomatic responsibilities with the specific task of trade development. This initiative aimed to bridge the "information gulf" that separated Australia from its northern neighbors. Although formal diplomatic representatives were not immediately appointed in Asian countries, with Australia initially relying on British officials, the government quickly adopted Latham's recommendations regarding trade commissioners. By the late 1930s, Australia had appointed trade commissioners to China (1935), the Dutch East Indies (1935), Japan (1935), Egypt and the Middle East (1936), and India (1939), marking a significant expansion of Australia's independent presence in the region.
A Turning Point: Legacy in Foreign and Defense Policy
The Australian Eastern Mission is widely regarded as a turning point in the history of Australia's external relations. It represented the nation's "first serious attempt to develop a coherent policy towards Asia" and significantly broadened its foreign and trade policy. A 2008 parliamentary research paper noted that the mission marked a moment where a more self-confident and assertive Australia began to distinguish its interests from those of Britain. Latham's assessments, particularly his criticisms of the British naval base at Singapore, reinforced Australian concerns about the reliability of British military support in a wider Pacific conflict, contributing to Prime Minister Lyons' commitment to rearmament throughout the 1930s.
While some of Latham's specific assessments, such as his view that Japan would not expand southward, proved inaccurate, the mission's broader impact was profound. It influenced the government's decision in 1936 to establish the Department of External Affairs as fully independent from the Prime Minister's Department. The mission's emphasis on direct engagement and the expansion of trade representation laid the groundwork for Australia's future diplomatic efforts in Asia. John Latham himself would later become Australia's first Minister to Japan in 1940, a testament to the mission's long-term vision and its role in shaping Australia's independent foreign policy in a rapidly changing global landscape.
