 The Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and the Dominions met at the 1921 Imperial Conference to determine a unified international policy , particularly the relationship with the United States and Japan . The most urgent issue was that of whether or not to renew the Anglo @-@ Japanese Alliance , which was due to expire on 13 July 1921 . On one side were the Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes and the Prime Minister of New Zealand Bill Massey , who strongly favoured its renewal . Neither wanted their countries to be caught up in a war between the United States and Japan , and contrasted the generous assistance that Japan rendered during First World War with the United States ' disengagement from international affairs in its aftermath . " The British Empire " , declared Hughes , " must have a reliable friend in the Pacific " . They were opposed by the Prime Minister of Canada , Arthur Meighen , on the grounds that the alliance would adversely affect the relationship with the United States , which Canada depended upon for its security . As a result , no decision to renew was reached , and the alliance was allowed to expire . 
