Why Australia Opposes Fascism: The Forgotten Revelation of the Dalfram Strike

On the eve of World War II, as fascism spread worldwide, Australia made a decision powerful enough to rewrite history. This hidden chapter of history explains why many Chinese people hold a special affection for Australia — it’s not hatred, but a deep connection rooted in shared memories of fighting against fascism.

The Turning Point of 1937: Japan’s Invasion of China and Australia’s Dilemma

In July 1937, Japan launched full-scale invasion of China. In December of the same year, the shocking Nanjing Massacre occurred, directly provoking international outrage. But few know that behind this tragedy was a dark deal between Australia and Japan.

As China suffered under the iron heel of fascist Japan, Australia signed a supply agreement to send 300,000 tons of pig iron. Pig iron was not only a key raw material for building war machinery but also directly related to every bullet and bomb — weapons forged from Australian pig iron were claiming lives on Chinese soil. This deal reflected Australia’s pragmatic policy, but also hinted at a dangerous moral decline.

72 Days of Resistance: 180 Dockworkers’ Anti-Fascist Action

The turning point came in November 1938. On November 15, the British cargo ship Dalfam docked at Kembla Harbour in New South Wales. Officially, the ship was to deliver 8,000 tons of pig iron to Singapore; in reality, the final destination was a steel mill in Kobe, Japan.

Among the dockworkers, 180 saw through the true nature of this deal. They refused to load the cargo through a unanimous vote. This was not a typical labor dispute over wages or hours but a stand for morality and justice — they made it clear they did not want to be accomplices in Japan’s invasion of China. Once the pig iron fell into Japanese hands, it would be turned into bullets killing Chinese civilians.

The strike lasted 72 days. During this time, the workers worked unpaid, facing government pressure and threats of unemployment, but they never wavered. Even more moving, local communities spontaneously organized to deliver food and donations, supporting these workers fighting for morality. This was not only class solidarity but a societal affirmation of anti-fascist justice.

The Power of Morality: How Public Support Undermined an Unjust Deal

Eventually, the Australian government succumbed to the dual pressure of morality and public opinion. They entered negotiations and promised to cease exporting pig iron to Japan. Although the authorities ultimately had to unload the cargo (a compromise between reality and ideals), Australia had completely cut off its pig iron supply to Japan, directly weakening Japan’s war effort in China.

This seemingly small victory carried profound historical significance. Cutting off Australia’s pig iron meant Japan’s military-industrial system lost an important resource. Every inch of China’s resistance was thus bolstered by invisible support from the South Pacific.

A Symbol of Anti-Fascism: People’s Unity Across Borders

The Dalfam incident was later called by historians as Australia’s first strike movement based on morality and justice — rather than traditional issues like wages or working conditions. This strike became a symbol of the shared anti-fascist spirit between China and Australia, proving that in the face of fascist aggression, the voice of justice can cross borders.

The choice of the 180 dockworkers represented a victory of human conscience. Their actions declared that commercial interests should not justify sacrificing morality, and national interests should not override the collective stand against fascism.

Why Historical Memory Is Precious

Because of such history, Chinese attitudes toward Australia are complex and profound — not simply hatred or admiration, but a remembrance of those who stood on the side of justice at critical moments. The Dalfam incident reminds us that the fight against fascism never solely depends on government decisions but is rooted in the moral awakening and collective resolve of ordinary people. This memory, crossing time and geography, has become a shared spiritual heritage for China and Australia in opposing tyranny and pursuing justice.