HIGH COMMISSIONS

The Australian High Commission

In 1892-3 Australia underwent a financial crisis. This reduced foreign investors view of the country. In 1901 the colonies federated with one another to form Australia. At the time, the continent was experiencing a long, sustained drought. There was an appreciation that if Australia had a clear presence in London, the country might find it easier to attract investment.

The British were concerned both by the way in which Germany and the United States were outstripping it as industrial powers and by the way in which their leading cities were reflecting this. The Aldwych was an instance of slum clearance.

Australian politicians were debating the nature of their future. Thomas Bent, the premier of Victoria, visited London for an imperial conference. He had the freedom to act more independently than the national government. Therefore, he sanctioned the construction of Victoria House, which when it opened in 1909 acted as a de facto high commission.

Australia House opened in 1918. It was the first purpose-built diplomatic building in London.

Location: Australia House, 71 Aldwych, WC2B 4LA

Website: https://uk.embassy.gov.au

New Zealand House

New Zealand House (1963) is New Zealand s High Commission in London. There is a story that in the early 1960s the Kiwi government concluded that Britain was drawing away from the Commonwealth and seeking to identify itself more closely with the European Economic Community. It was appreciated that if this development continued there would no longer be the same need to station as many New Zealand diplomats in London as had been present there and that therefore the Commission would no longer need as much office space. However, a decision may have been made, during the planning of the construction of New Zealand House towerblock, that several additional storeys should be added to the actual number that were going to be needed. These gave the High Commission the scope to rent them to outside parties so that it could defray its own running costs.

Location: 80 Haymarket, SW1Y 4TE (blue, turquoise)

Website: www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/united-kingdom/new-zealand-high-commission

South Africa House

South Africa House (1935) is occupied by the South African High Commission. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

For many years a continuous 24-hour a day, 365 days a year anti-Apartheid demonstration was mounted outside the building. During the protest s duration, many passers-by were probably more aware of the protest than they were of the fact that the building that was being picketed served a diplomatic function.

Location: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DP (purple, blue)

Website: https://southafricahouse.uk

The Zimbabwean High Commission

When Rhodesia started passing legislation that deprived its black citizens of the franchise the B.B.C. covered the matter. The Rhodesian High Commissioner called upon Hugh Carleton Greene (1910-1987). The diplomat stated that under its charter the corporation was obligated to furnish balanced coverage, between right and left. Greene that was the case but that the duty did not extend to providing one between right and wrong.

Location: 25 Addison Avenue, W11 4QS. Greene s home. (orange, pink)

429 Strand, WC2R 0JR. The High Commission. (orange, grey)

Website: www.zimlondon.gov.zw

David Backhouse 2024