During the past week or two I have given much thought to the
question of Commonwealth diplomatic representation in the Far
East. My opinion now is that we should proceed immediately with
the appointment of a Minister to both Japan and China.

I think much significance should be attached to what might be
termed the urgent request of the Japanese that we should exchange
Ministers. This desire taken with the present disposition of Japan
to lean more strongly to the Allies than for some few years
appears to me to present a really great opportunity to Australia.

I feel that an Australian could do much to assist in drawing Japan
and the United Kingdom together again. Apparently Japan by its
representations through Akiyama [1] entertains the same view.

But an appointment to China is, as I think you suggested, equally
important at this time. We shall never grasp the real attitude and
moment of the Far East towards Australia until we are
intelligently represented in both Japan and China. An appointment
to China following very soon after Japan would appear to me the
right way to move.

Whatever may be the outcome of the international position between
Australia and Japan and China, it is beyond question that from
this time forward both countries will be a rapidly increasing
factor in our trading relationships. Out of China, to say nothing
of Japan, in the next ten years will come an incalculable flood of
exports. The problem of high standard countries, and particularly
Australia, in restraining this flood without creating grave
international complications is obvious.

I do not wish to labour the matter, but I strongly recommend that
we should proceed to take active steps to appoint a Minister to
each country.

H. S. GULLETT