Subsequent series unregistered

1958: Correspondence files, multiple number series (second system) (First Uniform Post System) (Singapore)

Summary heading

A4968 – Correspondence files, multiple number series (first system) (Singapore)  

Function and purpose

Record series A4968 consists of correspondence files maintained by the Australian Commission for Malaya between 1946 and 1957. This appears to be the Commission’s ‘Political File’ series, as opposed to a separate ‘Consular File’ series.

The Commission was responsible for protecting Australian interests and nationals in Malaya. Later, the Commissioner was instructed to also give ‘close attention’ to the problems of South East Asia as a whole. Reflecting this, the records in this series deal with issues of significance to the Australia – Malaya relationship, and a wide range of regional issues.  Specific topics covered by the files include:

·        Matters affecting Australia’s relationship with Malaya and Singapore, including the White Australia Policy;
·        Malayan and Singaporean opinion towards various Australian policies, especially immigration restrictions;
·        Political development of Malaya and Singapore and other local political issues;
·        Natural resource and agriculture issues, such as rice production and fisheries;
·        Australian War Graves;
·        Australian aid policy, including the Colombo Plan;
·        South East Asian and Pacific defence, including SEATO and ANZUS;
·        Reports on major regional crises, including Formosa (Taiwan), the Indochina conflict and the Indonesian War of Independence;
·        Situation reports on political and economic developments in individual South East Asian nations;
·        British, American, French and Australian defence and foreign policy in South East Asia;

The files typically contain copies of letters, cables, confidential or secret reports and other documents forwarded from the Department of External Affairs and other sources for the Commission’s information. The files can also contain copies of despatches from Australian diplomats in South East Asia, and locally gathered information, like newspaper cuttings.

Physical characteristics

Files that had ‘Secret’ or ‘Top Secret’ classification were usually housed in standard Department of External Affairs file covers with the appropriate classification printed on the front cover. Other files are usually contained in file covers printed with ‘Australian Commissioner’s Office, Singapore – Political File’.    

System of arrangement and control

The series is arranged according to a multiple number system.

Many (but not all) files with a Top Secret classification have the suffix TS after the file number. Some Top Secret Files were also given alternative control symbols such as TS1, TS2 etc. Where these exist, this alternative number has been noted in the alternative control symbol field.

One item listed on the original consignment list – 25/23/23 – could not be located when Arrangement and Description work was undertaken in March 2005.       

Finding aids

As of March 2005, all items held by National Archives have been entered onto RecordSearch.       

Custodial history

This series was transferred into National Archives custody from the then Department of Foreign Affairs, Central Office in 1977. Before the records were transferred, Foreign Affairs had divided into two consignments, one being for files classified as ‘Secret’ and ‘Top Secret’. 

 Arrangement and Description work was undertaken on the series in March 2005. Each item was rehoused and entered at item level into RecordSearch.

Quantity in agency custody

At the time these records were transferred into National Archives custody, an unknown quantity of additional records were still held by the Australian High Commission in Singapore.