This is one of the two earliest main correspondence series of the Department of External Affairs [1], one of the first seven Departments of State established at Federation.

For the life of the series, the Minister for External Affairs was also the Prime Minister; the content of the series covers matters relevant to the duties of the portfolio (designated 'Prime Minister of the Commonwealth and Minister for External Affairs' under the first Administrative arrangements order - see CA 7).

These duties were: fisheries - extra-territorial, immigration and emigration, influx of criminals, external affairs, Pacific Islands, High Commission, communication with States, Governor General and Executive Council Offices, and Officers of Parliament.

The Immigration Restriction Act was passed in 1901 and papers relating to its enactment, its administration and the consequences for individuals etc., form a significant part of the series; likewise Australia's involvement in the South African (Boer) war and the requirement for permits to land in that country.

Staffing matters including appointments, transfers, conditions of employment are also prominent.

Prime Minister/External Affairs was responsible for personnel from 1 Jan 1901 to 5 May 1902(?) when the function was taken over by the newly created Public Service Commissioner, with the Department of Home Affairs [1].

The competition for a Federal flag and Commonwealth Seal Design attracted a significant response and is well documented. Some early legal opinions are to be found, eg municipal rating of Commonwealth Offices (01/42/1), and copies of Executive Council Minutes, eg Regulations under the Immigration Restriction Act (02/49).

Other matters dealt with included representations regarding the following: development of the Northern Territory; Pacific cable; the proposed federal capital site; Governor-General with maintenance etc. of Government House, treaties; Pacific Islands; consular matters; Commonwealth publications; parliamentary procedures; Commonwealth representation at the Coronation of Edward VII; interstate and international conferences; use of the River Murray; various representations re bills/Acts, eg Divorce Bill; and appointment of, or other matters relating to, Defence personnel other than in the Boer war conflict.

There is also significant information available about individuals. With the genealogical researcher in mind, names of individuals have been included in item titles or on the Inventory of items associated with the series. Correspondence was described in a register with numbered folio/pages (see CRS A10). Generally a separate folio/page was allocated to a particular subject; correspondence was annotated with the folio/page number and a 'progressive' or sequential number. Each new piece of correspondence on a subject was given the folio/subject number and a new 'progressive' number, against which information re the new correspondence was entered in the register; in all cases the year was added. The allocation of sequential numbers continued until the register page was full (in keeping with the year in which correspondence was received). Then, either another page was allocated to that subject matter and the original page number substituted for the new page number or papers were registered under the new page number (sometimes a cross reference was recorded).

Other correspondence directly related to the original subject matter was sometimes given the same number; or each piece of correspondence within a particular subject area was allocated a separate 'progressive' number. Correspondence directly related was fastened together (often) with brass filing pins or metal pins. While most items in the series consist of a few folios pinned together or a number of such items tied together, some items are held in Department of External Affairs printed file covers. These items often show only the year and register page (subject) number, and consist of many 'pinned folio' items registered with 'progressive' numbers or registered with an earlier page (subject) number. Often such files show the full registration number on the cover of each of the registered folios it contains. In these latter instances the item has been recorded on the inventory under the first folio registered.

For detailed information about the early 'paper' registration systems, including CRS A8, see CRS A4616. It was the practice to forward original material, registered by a department, State etc. elsewhere as necessary (see CRS A17). Items bearing original registration numbers of the Governor General; Attorney General; Home Secretary, Treasurer; Trade and Customs (Note: Custom's officers were empowered to administer sections of the Immigration Restriction Act); Defence; Post Master General; Minister controlling the Northern Territory, and other various State Governments can be found in this series; also items originally registered in CRS A6. All such items were re-registered in CRS A8. With CRS A6, this series provides a rich source of information about the establishment, organisation and workings of the new Commonwealth Government, especially given the Prime Minister's involvement in the portfolio.