This series of correspondence files was maintained in the Prime Minister’s Office during the Prime Ministership of Joseph Benedict Chifley (1945-49). The correspondence mainly consists of resolutions and representations from branches of the Australian Labor Party, including federal and state executives. Other files in the series consist of representations from branches of the Australian Communist Party, various Trades and Labor Councils and sub-branches of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia (RSS&AILA). Some correspondence with state Premiers is also included.

The contents of each file are arranged alphabetically by correspondent, ie the name of the branch, sub-branch or, in some cases, the state. The correspondent’s name is typed on the right-hand corner of most documents. Replies were sent under the signature of either Chifley or his Private Secretary. The subject matter covers a wide range of economic, social and political issues, including the basic wage, 40-hour week, taxation, Communism, price control, social security benefits, banking legislation, appointment of Hon W J McKell as Governor- General, the 1949 coal strike and the December 1949 general election.

The Prime Minister’s Department transferred the records to archival custody in four consignments between June 1948 and February 1950. They were controlled for many years under accession numbers (CP18/2, CP25/2, CP38/2 and CP62/2) until converted to series M1458 in May 1984. At that time, the description of the correspondence as ‘subject order’ files was discontinued and exactly which accession particular files had come from was not fully recorded.

This series registration was revised as part of the Prime Ministers Papers Project in January 2004. The work included revision of the series title and extension of individual file titles to better reflect the nature of the correspondence.