Summary heading

Subject index cards for CRS A2670 War Cabinet agenda and CRS A2673 War Cabinet minutes 

Function and purpose

These index cards list the subjects found in War Cabinet agenda and decisions (Minutes) in an alphabetical sequence. The index cards were created as a reference for the War Cabinet Secretariat to keep track of the subjects raised in agenda discussed and decisions made by the War Cabinet. Each card has the subject written at the top, followed by a list of agendum and Minute titles relating to that subject, along with the relevant agendum and/or decision (Minute) number. In some cases, additional information, such as a related topic or supplement number, is also included.

Prime Minister Menzies announced the formation of the War Cabinet on 5 September 1939, two days after the outbreak of war with Germany. The Cabinet consisted of Menzies (as Prime Minister and Treasurer), R G Casey (as Minister for Supply), G A Street (as Minister for Defence), Senator G McLeay (as Minister for Commerce), H S Gullett (as Minister for Information) and W M Hughes (as Attorney-General). Membership of the Cabinet was to change over time. The Cabinet was to deal with all matters other than major matters of general policy, however, the War Cabinet increased in authority and stature as the war progressed and became the major decision-making body on the conduct of the war. The meetings were held at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne and in the Cabinet Room at Parliament House, Canberra.

The Advisory War Council was formed on 28 October 1940, following the general election of September of that year, in which Menzies retained power only with the support of two independents. Menzies asked John Curtin, the Labor Opposition Leader, to join a national government. Curtin declined but suggested an Australian War Council, which became the Advisory War Council. The Council constituted members of all parties. The Council’s function was to advise the Government on matters of the defence of the Commonwealth or the execution of the war as were referred to it by the Prime Minister, as well as other related matters.

The War Cabinet Secretariat was formed to provide administrative support to both the War Cabinet and Advisory War Council. This group of public servants included secretaries, stenographers and messengers, and maintained a vast filing system of minutes and agendas. The Secretariat was housed at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

 

Related legislation

 

Using the series

 The index cards are organised alphabetically by subject. Each card on a particular subject can be used to determine what War Cabinet agenda and/or decisions (Minutes) may exist concerning that topic. War Cabinet agenda can then be found in series A2670 (agenda) and A2671 (agenda files). Decisions (Minutes) can also be found in the agenda files, as well as in series A2673, which contains the minutes of War Cabinet meetings. Decisions (Minutes) can also be found in series A2676, which contains decisions (Minutes) with no agenda file. Thus, use of this series of index cards enables the location of information concerning the subjects addressed by the War Cabinet.

The subject appears as a heading at the top of the card. Some subject references run over more than one card; usually the subject heading on the first card is underlined. References are often underlined, either the title or the agendum and/or decision (Minute) number. Some of the cards are written on the back.

 

Language of material

English 

Physical characteristics

Each index card is white with lines ruled and measures 10 x 15 cm. The entries are typed or handwritten. Where there is more than one card per subject, the cards may be held together with a metal pin. There are cardboard dividers between each letter of the alphabet and some metal pins are used to highlight particular subjects. 

 

System of arrangement and control

The index cards in this series are arranged by subject. The National Archives has imposed single numbers to control each box of cards, so these are more accessible. There are two consignments of cards. The first sequence contains four boxes, each of which is considered one item. The second sequence contains one box, also considered one item.

 

Relationships with other records

The subject index cards in this series are control records for series A2670, Reference set of War Cabinet agenda and series A2673, War Cabinet minutes. The agenda and decision (Minute) numbers referred to in this series can also be found in series A2671, War Cabinet agenda files and A2676, War Cabinet Minutes without agenda files.

 

Finding aids

All items in this series are accessible via RecordSearch as at April 2006. Further information concerning the War Cabinet Secretariat can be found in the agency note for CA 1468. 

 

Access conditions

 

Series history

The records in this series came to the National Archives in 1983. The records were registered as one consignment. Later investigations by Arrangement and Description made it clear that two boxes of index cards did not in fact belong in this series. These records are likely to be subject index cards for the Defence Business Board of Administration. As a result, these cards were separated into a different consignment in 1993. The items were entered onto RecordSearch in 1994.

Further research has confirmed that the records in consignment three did not belong in this series. Subsequently, these records are now located in a separate series, A13262.

Amendments were made to the items in this series in April 2006 to correct consignment and control symbol changes. The index cards were re-housed in acid-free containers.

 

Provenance

 

Immediate source of acquisition

 

Custodial history

 

Quantity in agency custody

 

Disposal history

These records have been designated permanent under disposal class GDA 14, 34.2.1.

 

Publication note

 

Additional information

 

End notes

 

Sources

Encel, S  1974  Cabinet Government in Australia  Carlton, Victoria: Melbourne University Press

Horner, David  1996  Inside the War Cabinet: Directing Australia’s war effort, 1939-45  St Leonard’s, NSW: Allen & Unwin

Horner, David  2000  Defence Supremo: Sir Frederick Shedden and the making of Australian defence policy  St Leonard’s, NSW: Allen & Unwin

The War Cabinet & Advisory War Council  http://john.curtin.edu.au/behindthescenes/cabinet/

Accessed 6 September 2005

The War Cabinet Secretariat  http://john.curtin.edu.au/behindthescenes/secretariat/index.html

Accessed 6 September 2005

 

Series file for A5935