Agendum 36711941 4 November 1941

SECRET

DELEGATION TO RUSSIA

1. War Cabinet on October 17th [1] had before it an account of the
preliminary steps taken by the previous Government with a view to
an invitation to Russia to appoint a Russian Consul-General to
Australia. [2] That proposal was not followed up by the previous
Government because of advice from the High Commissioner in London
that the suggestion would probably bring a request from Russia for
an exchange of Ministers. [3] Mr. Bruce subsequently reported that
the Russian Ambassador in London [4] if now approached on the
lines suggested would probably be content with a Consul-General in
Australia and would not press for an exchange of Ministers. In
view of this, Mr. Bruce asked to be advised of the wishes of the
Commonwealth Government. [5]

2. The establishment of direct trade and diplomatic relations
between Australia and the Soviet Union has been urged in a large
number of representations from individuals, trades unions and
public bodies received by the Commonwealth Government since the
outbreak of the Russo-German war. The reasons advanced in these
representations may be summarised as follows:-

(a) The necessity for giving the fullest material and moral
support to Russia and encouraging continued Russian resistance.

(b) Common political interests, in particular the consideration
that Soviet policy in respect to Japan in the Middle [sic] East is
of importance to Australia-and
(c) The potential importance in Australian economy of Australian-
Russian trade.

3. War Cabinet deferred further consideration of this question
until October 30th when it was decided that I should submit for
consideration an agendum as to the composition of a special
Australian delegation to Russia. [6]

4. It is presumed that the visit of a delegation from Australia
would be for the promotion of understanding between the two
countries, encouragement of the Russian morale and as an earnest
of our desire to cooperate and assist in the common cause. The
delegation should thus be constituted in a form which would
exemplify both the moral and the practical aspect.

5. To this end the delegation might be composed as follows:-

(i) A Member of Parliament as head of the mission.

(ii) One or two officers from the Service Departments.

(iii) An expert in Commerce conversant with the distribution and
supply of primary products and with the shipping position.

(iv) An officer of the Supply Department with knowledge of
supplies which Australia might provide.

(v) A leading member of the Trades Union Movement.

(vi) Two other persons, one preferably a woman, the other a clerk
or secretary with knowledge of Russian.

The question of route and transport of the delegation and other
details need not be considered at this stage pending a decision in
principle.

6. Attached [7] is a list of bodies who have, inter alia, made
representations to the Commonwealth Government. [8]

H. V. EVATT