Function and purpose

This series consists of letter books that contain copies of letters and telegrams from the Prime Minister to the Governor-General. In some cases copies of enclosures to the letters are included. There is an alphabetical index at the front of each volume, listing subjects dealt with in the letters, such as 'Acts, Consuls, Customs, Defence Matters, Immigration Restriction, Japan, Lighthouses, Postal Matters, Treaties, Trade Marks and Wireless Telegraphy. Each volume contains about 750 folios. The names of individuals referred to in the letters are usually indexed after the subject entries for each letter of the alphabet.

The folios are number-stamped, and the External Affairs and Prime Minister's file number appears on the first folio of each letter. The copies were produced by the letter-press method from typed originals. Their condition is fragile - the paper being very thin tissue-paper and the inks, usually purple of blue-green, are liable to smudging.

System of arrangement and control

The volumes are controlled by a single number system imposed by the National Archives of Australia. Entries are in chronological order.

Finding aids

All volumes in the custody of the National Archives of Australia as at November 2000 have been entered onto the item level database.

Series history

Transferred to archival custody on 1 December 1970 by CA 12, Prime Ministers Department.