Descriptive note for M3608

Summary heading

Function and purpose

Series M3608 comprises a small quantity of correspondence, speeches and reports accumulated by Sir Joseph Cook while Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, Treasurer and Minister for Navy.

Of particular significance are papers accumulated during Cook’s period as Prime Minister (24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914), namely correspondence with the Governor-General, Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, concerning the 1914 double dissolution of the Parliament, Cook's appointment as a Privy Councillor, and the Governor-General's residence.

Also included is a letter from Alfred Deakin concerning a referendum on constitutional change, type written notes by Sir John Forrest on Clause 57 of the Constitution and copies of two speeches Joseph Cook presented to Parliament (a speech on the Defence Bill 1909 presented while Minister for Defence and the 1921-22 Federal Budget presented as Treasurer).

The remainder of the series consists of reports Joseph Cook accumulated while in Parliament including Viscount Kitchener’s 1910 memorandum on the defence of Australia, extracts of 1917 Imperial War Conference minutes and papers, the Dominions Royal Commission report of 1917 and the 1917 War Cabinet report.

Related legislation

Using the series

Language of material

Physical characteristics

System of arrangement and control

Single number control symbols [1]-[7] have been imposed on the items in this series by National Archives.

Relationships with other records

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Access conditions

Series history

In 1993 the Cook family donated Sir Joseph Cook papers, including series M3608, to the National Archives of Australia. The collection was initially located at the New South Wales Office of National Archives but was transferred to the National Office of National Archives in Canberra in 2001.

Provenance

Series M3608 is part of the personal collection of former Prime Minister Sir Joseph Cook, however, as it contains some original correspondence accumulated as Prime Minister, Prime Minister’s Department (CA 12) has been made a co-recording agency. The Cook family donated the collection to the National Archives in 1993.

Immediate source of acquisition

Custodial history

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Disposal history

Publication note

Additional information

End notes

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