The correspondence files in this series were maintained by Harold Edward Holt as Treasurer (1959-1966) and, subsequently, as Prime Minister (1966-1967). However, some papers from his earlier political career are also included, and those from the Prime Ministerial period primarily relate to 1966. The files are variously titled to cover general and some personal correspondence, personal representations, accepted and declined invitations, requests for patronage, overseas visits, the 1961, 1963 and 1966 general elections and 1964 Senate election, miscellaneous papers, speeches and newscuttings. The series also includes a small number of presentation items commemorating the visit of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 and the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964, and stamps from the United Nations Special Fund.
The correspondence is from a wide range of sources – political colleagues, Australian and overseas businessmen, personal friends, professional, sporting and other community organisations, constituents and members of the Australian public. The subjects dealt with in the correspondence are also wide-ranging and include the development of Northern Australia, electoral matters, Liberal Party, immigration and pension cases, taxation, health and banking legislation, religious broadcasting, Rhodesia, Vietnam, national service, visit of Lyndon B Johnson (US President), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Holt’s 25th anniversary celebrations as a Member of Parliament and his succession as Prime Minister.
The records were transferred to archival custody in 1972, and the single number system of control and many of the file titles were subsequently imposed. However, the alphabetical order of the papers in some of the files reflects the original filing by Holt’s staff. This series description was revised as part of the Prime Ministers Papers’ Project (November 2001).
Copy history
This series contains audivisual formats. As audiovisual formats are either redundant or susceptible to deterioration, some items in this series have been copied to ensure their preservation. Preservation copying involves the creation of preservation, duplicating and/or reference copies. These copies can be found in the following series:
Preservation copies: M4980, Audio preservation copies of M2606, Correspondence files maintained by Harold Edward Holt as Treasurer and Prime Minister