Summary heading

CRS A2910 - Unclassified correspondence of the High Commission, London 1918 to 1960.

Function and purpose

The series comprises the unclassified correspondence of the High Commission, London, covering the period from 1918 to 1960. The records deal with all aspects of the High Commissioner’s Office, with the exception of matters directly relating to war graves. War grave related records are held in series A2909 Correspondence files, multiple number series, some with 'AGS' [Australian Graves Service] prefix. Some unclassified World War II defence material is included in this series, but all classified related files are held in series A2908 Correspondence files, classified single number series with alphabetical prefix.

A large proportion of files relate to WW II activities such as trade conditions, trade negotiations, supply shortages and transportation (eg restricted shipping space), shortages of food and other resources, and the allocation of available resources to civilians, servicemen and women by the United Kingdom Government’s Ministry of Food. Some papers mention the scarcity of skilled workers and the increased costs of production due to lack of resources and labour, while others focus on the effects of direct enemy action on the people of London, including Australia House officials. Others relate how bombing raids polluted the private wells that supplied Australia House with water. Australia House itself was damaged by enemy air raids in 1941, and was later able to lodge a claim for damages under the Government’s Compensation Scheme.

Papers detailing trade agreements, negotiations and policies provide background to Australia’s development within the international community and, in particular, Australia’s relationship with the UK. They cover trade agreements and negotiations between Commonwealth countries, the development of standards and regulations in relation to the transportation of foodstuff, and the establishment of trade relations with new countries or territories. They list trading ports (eg Delhi, Penang, Sandakan, Singapore, Hong Kong) and goods carried on each ship, including war supplies. Other papers outline how war affected trade relations between countries and note that at least half the world production of celluloid was cut with the defeat of Germany and Japan, resulting in serious shortages.

The series also covers inter-war and post-war periods. Some papers examine Australia’s post-war industrial expansion and Britain’s increasing interest in Australian exports and demand for other than primary products. In 1946, an Australian Government Trade Commissioner was appointed to the London post. The Office of Trade Commissioner was partly established to encourage and facilitate the efforts of Australian exporters to exploit marketing opportunities in Britain.

Australia’s public image as distinct from that of Britain is also documented. Some papers provide background to the development of the Australian News and Information Bureau (CA 219) in London. The Bureau significantly helped boost Australia’s profile abroad by documenting Australia’s contribution to the war and its involvement in the post-war reconstruction program. A number of papers also draw attention to the representation of Australia in various exhibitions held at Australia House and at the Imperial Institute in London.

Related legislation

Using the series

Series A3154 List of classification headings and numbers ('primary heading indices') used for correspondence files, multi-number series (Class 400), 1918-1960 provides a list of primary headings.. Series A7127 Registration cards for A2910, Correspondence files, multiple number series, (Class 400) lists the primary headings and titles of correspondence files raised in A2910 at the London post.

Language of material

Physical characteristics

In addition to general correspondence the folders include memoranda, financial records, reports, policies, minutes, appointments, personnel files, ships’ consignment lists, conference papers, claims, media releases, architectural plans and other documents.

Fragile or torn folder covers were replaced by acid-free folders. The ships’ consignment port ledgers in A2910/26 were placed in custom-made acid-free boxes, and the architectural plans in A2910/63, item 401/1/1/22/19 part 5, were flattened out, re-housed in mylar and placed in map drawers.

System of arrangement and control

The multiple number system, created by the agency and set out in control series A7127 Registration cards for A2910, Correspondence files, multiple number series, (Class 400) has been retained, with bulky files divided into parts. The numbering system reflects the file title ‘primary heading – secondary heading – item description’. For example, control symbol 401/4/58 informs the researcher that the content of this item relates to ‘Accounts – Banks accounts – Australian Imperial Force, Malaya’. It should be noted that the primary and secondary headings have not always been included in the item title on RecordSearch.

Relationships with other records

Series A2908 Correspondence files, classified single number series with alphabetical prefix more or less covers the same period as the general correspondence series. No separate classified index appears to have been maintained for A2908, but the nominal index series A7851 and subject index series A7840, A7849 and A7848, maintained for the general correspondence series A2910, also apply to A2908.

Series A2909 Correspondence files, multiple number series, some with 'AGS' [Australian Graves Service] prefix is another parallel series, containing information relating to the provision, erection and maintenance of graves and memorials of members of the AIF killed in World War I. It includes some correspondence concerning badges and inscriptions and the minutes of the Australian Battle Memorials and Soldier's Graves Committee meetings.

Finding aids

As at October 2008, all items in this series held in the custody of the National Archives have been entered onto its database RecordSearch.

Access conditions

Series history

In June 1960, the A7127 Registration cards for A2910, Correspondence files, multiple number series, (Class 400) was superseded by series A3211 Correspondence files, annual single number series. The change from a multiple number series to an annual single number series has had no discernible influence on the content, which continues to deal with most aspects of the High Commissioner's Office.

Between 2004 and 2008, an Archival Description project was undertaken to re-house all items in archival quality folders and boxes and to create item entries on RecordSearch.

Provenance

Immediate source of acquisition

Custodial history

Quantity in agency custody

Disposal history

In 2007, as part of the Archival Description project, the Archives’ Collection Review team reviewed and re-sentenced the records under the Valuable Discontinued Records (VDR) category provisions. All records in series A2910 held in the custody of the National Archives were confirmed for retention as national archives (RNA). The case for retention rested on historical significance of the records in the context of Australia’s relation to the Commonwealth countries and international community through trade, and for providing significant documentary background to major world events, world wars, inter-war and post-war periods.

Publication note

Additional information

End notes

Sources