On 26 August 1947, British Commonwealth talks on the Japanese Peace Treaty began in Canberra, Australia. Delegates from eight countries gathered to discuss issues around drafting a treaty of peace with Japan. For the delegates of India, Pakistan, and Burma, it was their first Commonwealth Conference.

After the end of the Second World War the allies were not always in agreement regarding the future of Japan. Debates often centred on the level of Japan’s military and industrial disarmament, its future economy, and the general security of the Pacific. New Zealand authorities were keen to have a say on such matters – the Department of External Affairs wanted a strong position on security taken and despaired the ‘softening’ attitudes toward Japan. However others argued that rehabilitation of the Japanese economy was paramount and an economically-depressed Japan could cause future problems.

At the Conference itself New Zealand’s Prime Minister Peter stressed the security issue. But Britain and US observers were relieved to hear that he did not want to impose terms on Japan that were too harsh. The British delegation noted that ‘although Mr Fraser did not appear to be very thoroughly briefed’ he radiated so much goodwill that ‘his presence alone contributed enormously to the “family atmosphere”’.

The Conference ran until 2 September, and while no binding decisions were made, the discussions helped inform the signing of the Treaty of San Francisco (commonly known as the Peace Treaty with Japan) on 8 September 1951. It also had significance for the ANZUS treaty of the same year.

Pictured here are the delegates to the 1947 Conference:

Back row, left to right: R.T.Pollard (Australia), Sir Raghanath Paranjpye (India), U.Shwe Baw, Thakin Lun Baw (Burma).

Middle row, left to right: J.J.Dedman (Australia), J.G.Barclay (NZ), Hector McNeill (UK), E.J.Williams (UK), Sir B.Rama Rau (India), M.M.Rafi (Pakistan), K.A.Greene (Canada).

Front row, left to right: Peter Fraser (NZ), Lord Addison (UK), J.B.Chifley, H.V.Evatt (Australia), Brooke Claxton (Canada), H.G.Lawrence (South Africa).

Archives Reference: ADBV 16157 Box 8 archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=11785339

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Caption information from New Zealand and Japan 1945-1952: The Occupation and the Peace Treaty by Ann Trotter