This series consists of two files of letters and telegrams relating to Joseph Benedict Chifley, mainly in his capacity as Director of Labour Supply and Regulation, during June and July 1940. The Menzies Government appointed Chifley to the position a few months prior to his regaining the seat of Macquarie in federal Parliament.

The series also contains some private papers relating to Chifley's pre-selection, his position as President of the Abercrombie Shire Council, membership of the Capital Issues Advisory Board, and as Bathurst District Representative on the Board of the NSW Ambulance Transport Service.

The function of Labour Supply and Regulation within the Department of Munitions was created to cope with the production of military requirements such as armaments during World War II. With the abolition of the Department in 1948, the function officially passed to the Department of Supply and Development although, as it dealt with labour production issues during wartime, it was no longer required. These records were found in the Department of Labour and National Service in Melbourne and were transferred to archival custody in May 1961. Initially accessioned as CP937/1, they were converted to series M1414 in March 1984. The series description was revised as part of the Prime Ministers Papers Project in January 2004.