Special collections relating to William Morris Hughes in the National Library of Australia


National Library of Australia

Manuscript Section
National Library of Australia
Parkes, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6262 1250
Fax: +61 2 6262 1516
Email: manuscripts@nla.gov.au
URL: http://www.nla.gov.au/ms/

Date completed: January 2003

This guide was created in association with the National Archives of Australia for the Australia's Prime Ministers website.


Scope and Content

The Library holds the papers of William Morris Hughes ( MS 1538), as well as a few other Hughes manuscript collections which were received from various sources. In addition there are videos and other manuscript collections which contain letters or other materials relating to Hughes. This guide lists the Hughes resources first, followed by the other sources in alphabetical order.




Hughes, William Morris. Papers, 1875-c1979.
Collection Number: MS 1538
Quantity: 35 metres (224 boxes) + folio items

William ('Billy') Morris Hughes' papers include correspondence, diaries and notebooks, newspaper cuttings, photographs, and family and political papers. Also included is a corrected typescript of the second volume of L. F. Fitzhardinge's biography of Hughes, which contains references to Barton, Deakin, Watson, Reid and Fisher. The political papers include extensive official and personal records dating from his time as Prime Minister from 1915 to 1923. A descriptive list is available.


Hughes, William Morris. Letter, 1931.
Collection Number: MS 1130
Quantity: 1 page

Letter written in reply to a request for advice from Arthur J. Gibson, then aged 21, on how he could better prepare himself for public life.


Hughes, William Morris. Letter, 1945.
Collection Number: MS 1885
Quantity: 1 page

Letter and Christmas greetings from Hughes to C. E. Roach of the Transport Office, Canberra.


Hughes, William Morris. Letter, 1946.
Collection Number: MS 2532
Quantity: 2 pages

Letter to Gordon Jones, 7 November 1946.


Hughes, William Morris. Illuminated addresses, 1916-1944.
Collection Number: MS 2159
Quantity: 7 items

Addresses presented to Hughes by: The Gallipoli Legion of Anzacs (1944); The Victoria Working Men's Club 1918; Sons of England Patriotic and Benevolent Society (1916); Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Nurses' Association of W. A. (1919); Tubercular Sailors and Soldiers' Association of Victoria (1937); New Guinea Mining Association (1939); and the Returned Men of A.I.E.F. and B.E.F. Other illuminated addresses presented to W. M. Hughes are held in National Library of Australia Pictures Branch.


Hughes, William Morris. Papers, 1940-1952.
Collection Number: MS 1001
Quantity: 0.01 metres + 1 folio item

Items include: I. Copy of letter from Ezra Norton, Managing Director of "Truth" and "Sportsman" Ltd., to R.G. Menzies (3rd June 1940). II. "Budget 1951-1952" (4p.). Possibly a budget speech presented to the Australian Parliament. III. Two page proposal from H.S. Foll (Minister for the Interior) entitled "Proposal for the transfer of young children from the United Kingdom to Australia during the war", 10 June 1940. IV. One page copy of a cablegram to the High Commissioner (29th May 1940) seeking to ascertain Britain's response to an Australian request for looking after 5,000 British children for the duration of the war. V. Four secret reports to the War Cabinet for its consideration (12-15 June 1940). Includes reports by the Chiefs of Staff and a summary of decisions of the War Cabinet for the information of the Full Cabinet. VI. Folio items include two hand coloured etchings (one by De Becourt) and "The four freedoms" ([11 p.]), originally published by "The Saturday Evening Post" during February and March of 1943 and presented to W.M. Hughes.


Barton, Sir Edmund. Papers, 1827-1940.
Collection Number: MS 51
Quantity: 1.12 metres (five boxes and 16 security binders and 11 folio items) also on microfilm (Mfm G 27550-27555).

This collection of papers of the Federation leader and first Prime Minister is digitised. The correspondence deals with the Federation campaign, the London conference of 1900 and Barton's prime ministership (1901-1903). The collection includes one letter by W.M. Hughes dated 1917 (item 1/1556a).


Bavin, Sir Thomas. Papers, 1898-1942.
Collection Number: MS 560
Quantity: 0.42 metres (three boxes)

Sir Thomas Bavin was the private secretary to Barton and Deakin and later became the New South Wales Premier. Bavin's papers are an important source of information about Australian politics and law between 1900 and 1920. The papers include one letter by W.M. Hughes to Bavin (3 January 1905) and references to Hughes in the letters to Bavin by Alfred Deakin. A descriptive list is available.


Benson, Clarence Irving. Papers, 1939-1970.
Collection Number: MS 7695
Quantity: 0.22 metres (2 boxes)

Methodist clergyman and journalist. The papers comprise letters to Sir Irving Benson, notebooks, and photographs. W.M. Hughes correspondence is held in box 2 of the collection.


Birks Family. Papers, 1929-1974.
Collection Number: MS 4843
Quantity: 0.01 metres

Includes letters from Hughes to Eric Birks regarding personal and political matters.


Brookes, Herbert and Ivy. Papers, 1869-1970 .
Collection Number: MS 1924
Quantity: 25.6 metres

Herbert Brookes worked closely with Hughes during the campaign for the referenda on conscription in 1916 and 1917. The papers in this collection date from 1869 to 1970 and cover every phase of the careers of Herbert and Ivy Brookes. There are papers on the 1917 referendum, notes made by Brookes of an interview with W.M. Hughes in 1920, papers regarding Hughes and a 1920 conference on woollen manufacturing and 44 letters by or to Hughes. A card index to correspondence and a descriptive list is available.


Buchanan, Alfred. 'The Prime Ministers of Australia', 1940.
Collection Number: MS 3034
Quantity: 1 volume (folio)

Alfred Buchanan's 'The Prime Ministers of Australia' is an unpublished manuscript comprising biographies of all Prime Ministers from Edmund Barton to Robert Gordon Menzies.


Campbell-Jones, Herbert. 'The Cabinet of Captains: the romance of Australia's first Federal Parliament', c1935 .
Collection Number: MS 8905
Quantity: One typescript

Campbell-Jones was the parliamentary correspondent of the Melbourne Argus. 'The Cabinet of Captains: The romance of Australia's first Federal Parliament' contains his unpublished recollections of the Barton Ministry, the establishment of Commonwealth Parliament in 1901 and the first parliamentarians, including detailed accounts of Barton, Deakin, Reid, Cook, Watson, Fisher and Hughes.


Catts, James Howard. Papers of James and Dorothy Catts, 1894-1960.
Collection Number: MS 658
Quantity: 0.66 metres

Catts was the Federal Member for Cook (NSW) in 1906-1922. The papers include correspondence with Hughes, 1903-1922. A descriptive list is available.


Coghlan, Sir Timothy Augustine. Papers, 1856-1926.
Collection Number: MS 6335
Quantity: 1.12 metres; also available on microfilm (Mfm M 807-814, M828)

This collection contains material collected by Sir Timothy Coghlan, the New South Wales Statistician and later Agent-General in London. It includes correspondence, letterbooks, personal documents, invitations, programs, publications, newspaper cuttings, photographs and a typescript autobiography. The general correspondence (1878-1926) includes letters to or from Sir Henry Parkes, Alfred Deakin, Sir George Reid, Andrew Fisher and William Morris Hughes. A descriptive list is available. The collection has also been microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project.


Collection of papers relating to Sir John Longstaff and Reginald Longstaff, 1902-1941.
Collection Number: MS 2304
Quantity: 0.01 metres

A collection of letters written to or about the artist Sir John Longstaff and including letters by William Morris Hughes.


Cook, Sir Joseph. Papers, 1880-1986.
Collection Number: MS 762
Quantity: 0.13 metres (9 folders)

Cook was Minister for the Navy in Hughes' Nationalist ministry (1917-1920) and along with Hughes, represented Australia at the Imperial War Conference and in the Imperial War Cabinet (1918). The collection includes correspondence with Hughes relating to the Paris Peace Conference (1919). A descriptive list is available (MS 762 and MS 2212).


Crisp, Leslie Finlay. Papers, 1878-1984.
Collection Number: MS 5243
Quantity: 20.8 metres (140 boxes + 2 folios)

Crisp was an academic, biographer of Ben Chifley and author of numerous publications on federation and Australian politics. The bulk of the collection consists of subject files on a wide range of topics compiled mainly from newspaper cuttings and journal articles. There are files on all Australian prime ministers from Sir Edmund Barton to Malcolm Fraser. A descriptive list is available.


Daly, Fred. Papers, 1938-1995.
Collection Number: MS 9300
Quantity: 20 metres (142 boxes)

Federal politician (1943-1975). Series five of this collection includes a file on W.M. Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Deakin, Alfred. Papers, 1804-1973.
Collection Number: MS 1540
Quantity: 12.64 metres (83 boxes, 31 security binders ) + 8 folio boxes

The collection includes correspondence, diaries, notebooks, legal briefs, press cuttings, pamphlets, books, official documents and publications, menus, programs, literary manuscripts, bills, receipts, photographs and tourist publications. There are 15 letters to or by W.M. Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Documents relating to a visit by Eleanor Roosevelt, 1943-1944.
Collection Number: MS 6923
Quantity: 0.01 metres

Documents, photographs and printed speeches relating to an unofficial visit to Australia by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1943 during which she was presented with a copy of the journal of James Cook's voyage on the Endeavour. The papers include copies of speeches by John Curtin and W.M. Hughes.


Fisher, Andrew. Papers, 1855-1983 .
Collection Number: MS 2919
Quantity: 2.36 metres (15 boxes)

W.M. Hughes was Attorney-General in the Fisher Government in 1908-1909, 1910-1913 and 1914-1915. The papers include 27 letters by Hughes and 3 letters from Fisher to Hughes. Much of this material documents Fisher's political career, especially his terms as Prime Minister and his work as High Commissioner in London. A descriptive list available.


Fitzhardinge, Laurence Frederic. Papers, 1898-1972.
Collection Number: MS 5400
Quantity: 2.1 metres

Biographer of W.M. Hughes. The papers include various manuscript drafts of vols. 1 and 2 of the biography; extensive notes, newscuttings and photocopies drawn from major manuscript collections and published matter relating to Hughes, his career, and political conditions of his time. Includes photocopies of Hughes' letters, memoranda, cablegrams, and educational and medical records. There are also letters to Fitzhardinge about Hughes.


Fricke, Graham L. Papers relating to Profiles of power : the prime ministers of Australia, [198-]-1990.
Collection Number: MS 8248
Quantity: 42 cm. (19 folders, 3 boxes)

Judge, Queen's Counsel, lecturer in law and author. The collection comprises notes, manuscript, typescript drafts and the final version (with editorial alterations and directions to the printer) of Profiles of power : the prime ministers of Australia. Ferntree Gully, Vic.: Houghton Mifflin, 1990.


Garran, Sir Robert. Family papers, 1860-1957.
Collection Number: MS 2001
Quantity: 3 metres

Robert Randolph Garran (1867-1957), was Secretary to the Attorney-General's Department and Parliamentary Draftsman, 1901-1932, and Solicitor-General, 1917-1932. He accompanied Hughes to the Peace Conference of 1919. The papers include material on the Peace Conference including one letter by Hughes. The 1919 diaries may also contain references to Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Glynn, Patrick McMahon. Papers and diaries, 1918-1926 .
Collection Number: MS 4653
Quantity: 4 metres (24 boxes) and three folio items; also available on microfilm (Mfm G 2542)

Minister for Home and Territories in the Hughes ministry of 1917-1920. Among the material in this series are letters, notebooks, newspaper cuttings, photographs, essays, lectures, speeches and a series of detailed diaries (1880-1927) that relate particularly to Glynn's career in South Australian and federal politics. There is one letter by Hughes and nine letters from Glynn to Hughes. Mfm G 2542 includes diaries for 1918-1926. A descriptive list is available.


Gowrie, Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, Earl of. Papers, 1835-1987.
Collection Number: MS 2852
Quantity: 8.54 metres (61 boxes plus 8 folio boxes)

Lord Gowrie (Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven) had extensive experience as a vice-regal representative, as Governor of SA (1928-1934), Governor of NSW (1935), and succeeding Sir Isaac Isaacs as Governor-General from January 1936 to September 1944. His papers include photographs, notebooks, memoirs and correspondence. Correspondents include W.M. Hughes (c. 1938-1944). A descriptive list is available.


Groom, Sir Littleton Ernest. Papers, c1880-1936 .
Collection Number: MS 236
Quantity: 29 boxes

Groom held ministerial portfolios in the Hughes Government including Assistant Minister for Defence (1917); Minister for Works and Railways (1918-1921) and Attorney-General (1921-1923). The papers include 67 letters by or to W.M. Hughes. A card index to correspondence and descriptive list is available. Additional material related to this collection is held at MS 1135 and MS 1452.


Gullett, Sir Henry. Papers, 1887-1961.
Collection Number: MS 3078
Quantity: 1.35m. (10 boxes)

Henry Gullett was a journalist, Director of the Australian Immigration Bureau (1920-1922) and a federal Member of Parliament (1925-1940). The papers include correspondence from W.M. Hughes with Sir Henry and Lady Gullett, c.1920-1947. Additional material relating to this collection is at MS 5347. A descriptive list is available.


Hall, Cecil Riley. Papers, 1829-1972.
Collection Number: MS 8686
Quantity: 3.15 metres (23 boxes + 1 folio)

Director of the NSW Chamber of Manufacturers (1936-1960). Series 2/3 includes a biographical file on W.M. Hughes for Hall's book The manufacturers. A descriptive list is available.


Hart, Fritz. Papers, 1895-1975.
Collection Number: MS 2809
Quantity: 0.84 metres (6 boxes) + 1 folio box

Composer and conductor. Series 1 of this collection includes a letter from W.M. Hughes to Dame Nellie Melba (1922). A descriptive list is available.


Haynes, Thomas Watson. Cutting book, 1911-1947.
Collection Number: MS 8161
Quantity: 0.03 metres (1 volume)

Haynes was a chartered accountant and company director who visited Nauru and Ocean Island with the British Phosphate Commission. The cutting book contains newspaper cuttings, typescripts and correspondence relating to Haynes' activities and his book "Our daily bread : or a story of phosphate islands". Correspondents include W.M. Hughes.


Heydon, Sir Peter Richard. Papers, 1901-1977.
Collection Number: MS 3155
Quantity: 3.36 metres + 1 folio item

Sir Peter Heydon worked briefly as Private Secretary to Sir George Pearce and between 1936 and 1960 held a number of senior administrative and diplomatic positions with the Departments of External Affairs and Immigration. The collection comprises research material compiled by Heydon whilst writing a biographical study of Sir George Pearce entitled Quiet Decision (1965). Includes a draft chapter on W.M. Hughes. A descriptive list is available (http://www.nla.gov.au/ms/findaids/3155.html).


Higgins, Henry Bournes. Papers, 1841-1929.
Collection Number: MS 1057
Quantity: 1.21 metres

A delegate to the Federation Convention, Federal politician and High Court and Arbitration Court judge, Justice Higgins' correspondents include 13 letter by and 10 letters to William Morris Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Hughes, Colin Anfield. Papers, 1966.
Collection Number: MS 5963
Quantity: 0.01 metres

These are research papers compiled by Professor Colin Hughes as adviser and coordinator of the Australian Broadcasting Commission television series 'Mr Prime Minister' (1966). Papers relate to Sir Robert Menzies, W. M. Hughes, J. Curtin, J. A. Lyons and H. Holt.


Hume Cook, James Newton Haxton. Papers, 1897-1942 .
Collection Number: MS 601
Quantity: 1.14 metres

Cook was a federal politician and ardent Protectionist whose correspondence with political leaders includes W.M. Hughes (1916-1942), some relating to the National Federation (1917-1919, 1929). A descriptive list is available.


Hunt, Arthur Atlee. Papers, 1900-1930.
Collection Number: MS 52
Quantity: 0.9 metres

Atlee Hunt was one of the first senior federal public servants. He was Edmund Barton's private secretary (1901) and became the Secretary of the Department of External Affairs (1901-1916) and Secretary to the Department of Home and Territories (1916-1921). The collection includes three letters and a newspaper article by Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Jebb, Richard. Correspondence, 1905-1916.
Collection Number: MS 813
Quantity: 0.02 metres (two folders)

Writer, journalist and author of Studies in colonial nationalism (1905). Jebb's correspondence between 1905 and 1916 includes discussions of political and defence issues relating to Australia, and including correspondence with W.M. Hughes.


Kingsford-Smith, Sir Charles. Papers, 1921-1929.
Collection Number: MS 5918
Quantity: 4 pages

Letter dated 20 October 1928 from W.M. Hughes to the aviator Charles Kingsford-Smith congratulating him on his achievements.


Kirwan, Sir John Waters. Papers, 1899-1935 .
Collection Number: MS 277
Quantity: 0.16 metres (11 folders)

Kirwan was a Western Australian politician. His papers relate to the Federation movement, especially on the Western Australian goldfields, and early federal politics, including letters from William Morris Hughes, Andrew Fisher, Sir Joseph Cook, Alfred Deakin and Sir George Reid. A descriptive list is available.


La Nauze, John Andrew. Papers, 1901-1984.
Collection Number: MS 5248
Quantity: 9.2 metres (51 boxes + 1 carton) + 2 folio items

Biographer of Deakin. The collection includes copies of letters by W.M. Hughes used for La Nauze's publication Alfred Deakin: a biography (1965). Descriptive list available.


Latham, Sir John. Papers, 1868-1964.
Collection Number: MS 1009
Quantity: 18.4 metres

Latham was Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for External Affairs, Minister for Industry and Chief Justice of the High Court. The collection contains papers relating the Imperial War Conference and the Paris Peace Conference in 1918-1919. In Latham's extensive correspondence, there are 19 letters by W.M. Hughes and 13 letters from Latham to Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Law, Andrew Bonar. Papers, 1905-1923.
Collection Number: Mfm M1123
Quantity: 1 microfilm reel

Papers of Andrew Bonar Law, British politician and Prime Minister in 1922-1923, including letters of W.M. Hughes (1916-1922). The papers were microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held by the House of Lords Record Office. A descriptive list is available.


Lloyd, Eric Edwin Longfield. Papers, 1915-1952.
Collection Number: MS 2887
Quantity: 0.1 metres

Director, Commonwealth Investigation Service 1944-1952; Director, Security Service 1941-1945; Australian Government Commissioner in Japan 1935-1940. The correspondence relates mainly to various appointments and honours conferred on Lloyd and includes letters by W.M Hughes.


Lloyd George, David, 1st Earl. Papers, 1903-1944.
Collection Number: Mfm M1124-1125
Quantity: 2 microfilm reels

Prime Minister of Britain, 1916-1922. The papers mainly comprise correspondence concerning LLoyd George's period as prime minister and include extensive correspondence with W.M. Hughes, c1917-1921. Copied by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held at the House of Lords Record Office, London. A descriptive list is available.


Long, Walter Hume, Viscount. Papers, 1913-1923.
Collection Number: Mfm M 1114-1119
Quantity: 6 microfilm reels

Walter Hume Long, 1st Viscount Long was Secretary of State for the Colonies Dec. 1916-Jan. 1919, and First Lord of the Admiralty 1919-21. Subjects of correspondence include command of the A.I.F., 1918; the Labor Party; conscription referendums; trade; the Irish in New Zealand and Australia; the Pacific Islands; Transcontinental railway; land settlement in New Zealand; and Hobart's defences. The 1917 Imperial War Conference is the subject of many papers. There are many letters to and from W.M. Hughes. A descriptive list is available. Filmed as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held by Wiltshire County Record Office, England.


Lyons, Joseph Aloysius. Papers, 1924-1939.
Collection Number: MS 4851
Quantity: 1.5 metres (6 boxes + 1 folio box)

W.M. Hughes held several ministerial portfolios in the Lyons Government including Health and Repatriation (1934-1937) and External Affairs (1937-1939). The Lyons Papers contain correspondence, notes, commissions, invitations, photograph albums, and scrap books covering the years of Lyon's prime-ministership. Main correspondents include W.M Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Mahon, Hugh. Papers, 1880-1936.
Collection Number: MS 937
Quantity: 0.6 metres

Mahon was a federal politician and a member of the Watson, Fisher and Hughes ministries. His large correspondence includes seven letters by W.M. Hughes and two from Mahon to Hughes. The correspondence generally resulted from Mahon's interest in Catholic and Irish matters; the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco (1915-1916); and Northern Territory, Papua and Norfolk Island affairs. A descriptive list available.


Maxse, L.J.. Papers, 1887-1931.
Collection Number: Mfm M1954
Quantity: 1 microfilm reel

Papers of L.J. Maxse, owner and editor of the London monthly journal, National Review, including 5 letters of W.M. Hughes (1917-1919). The papers were microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held by the West Sussex Record Office. A descriptive list is available.


Menzies, Sir Robert. Papers, 1905-1978.
Collection Number: MS 4936
Quantity: 80.92 metres (578 boxes)

W.M. Hughes was Attorney-General and Minister for Industry in the Menzies Government in 1939-1940. The Menzies Papers include correspondence with Hughes. A card index to correspondence and a descriptive list are available.


Miscellaneous items, 1889-1902.
Collection Number: MS 1557
Quantity: 0.01 metres

The collection includes three cables from England sent to W.M. Hughes. They are from Ivie Price, Sir Thomas White and the Burdett Coutts School, Westminister.


Moore, Tom Inglis. Papers, 1918-1977.
Collection Number: MS 8130
Quantity: 8 metres (56 boxes + 2 folios)

Poet, author, journalist and academic. The general correspondence (series 3/3) includes letters from W.M. Hughes dating from the Second World War. A descriptive list is available.


Munro-Ferguson, Sir Ronald Craufurd. Papers, 1912-1935.
Collection Number: MS 696
Quantity: 1.92 metres (13 boxes); also available on microfilm (Mfm G1228-1239)

Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson (later Lord Novar) was Governor-General (1914-1920). His papers include extensive correspondence with W.M. Hughes. The subject matter of both personal and official files includes World War I (including recruiting and conscription), Australian political events, the Australian economy and Australian, Japanese and British interests in the Pacific region. A descriptive list is available.


Murdoch, Sir Keith Arthur. Papers, 1915-1952.
Collection Number: MS 2823
Quantity: 1.75 metres

Murdoch was a journalist and newspaper proprietor. His papers include reports to Hughes during World War I and correspondence with W.M. Hughes relating to conscription, the publication of Hughes' speeches and command of the AIF. A descriptive list is available.


Officer, Sir Keith. Papers, 1911-1969.
Collection Number: MS 2629
Quantity: 3.2 metres

Public servant and diplomat. Officer worked in the External Affairs Branch of Prime Minister's Department, 1925-1935 and with the Department of External Affairs, 1935-1955. The papers contain one letter by W.M. Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


O'Malley, King. Papers, 1888-1955.
Collection Number: MS 460
Quantity: 3.69 metres (23 boxes)

Member of House of Representatives 1901-1917 and Minister for Home Affairs in the second Fisher (Labour) Ministry (1910-1913) and under W.M. Hughes (1915-1916). He was closely concerned with the founding of the Commonwealth Bank and the establishment and design of Canberra. The O'Malley Papers include correspondence with Hughes. A card index to correspondence and a descriptive list is available.


Page, Sir Earle. Papers, 1908-1961.
Collection Number: MS 1633
Quantity: 42.67 shelf metres

Page was elected to the federal seat of Cowper in 1919; helped found the Country Party and was leader from 1920 to 1939. He served as Treasurer (1923-1929); Prime Minister, briefly, in 1939; and was Minister for Health in the Menzies governments of the early 1950s. The collection comprises subject files of correspondence (including 10 letters by or to Hughes), cuttings, personal documents, reports, memoranda and semi-official papers, speeches, press statements, parliamentary bills, papers and reports, statistics and notes. A descriptive list and card index to correspondence is available.


Parkhill, Sir Archdale. Papers, 1904-1947.
Collection Number: MS 4742
Quantity: 0.20 metres + 4 folio items

Parkhill was secretary of the Liberal and Reform Association of NSW and later a federal politician and minister. His papers include a note by W.M. Hughes commenting on the first meeting he attended of the British War Cabinet. A descriptive list is available.


Pearce, Sir George Foster. Papers, 1909-1952.
Collection Number: MS 213, MS 1827, MS 1927
Quantity: 1.5 metres (10 boxes)

George (later Sir George) Pearce was a WA Senator and Minister for Defence (1914-1921) and Minister for Home and Territories (1921-1923) in the Hughes Government. He also served in the Bruce-Page and Lyons Governments. In 1916 he supported Hughes in the conscription crisis, and with him, left the Labor Party. MS 213 includes 5 letters by W.M. Hughes and five letters from Pearce to Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Perkins, John Arthur. Papers, 1891-1954.
Collection Number: MS 936
Quantity: 2.24 metres (13 boxes)

John Perkins was a federal politician and member of Lyons' Cabinet in 1932-1934 and 1937-1939. The collection includes diaries (1892-1950) and other references to his political career. There is also a copy of a letter to W.M. Hughes dated 22 August 1929, signed by Perkins as Government Whip, notifying him of his expulsion from the UAP (item 2/65). A detailed list is available.


Piddington, Albert Bathurst. Papers, 1912-1922.
Collection Number: MS 1095
Quantity: 0.04 metres

Sydney barrister. In the 1922 federal election, Piddington stood against W. M. Hughes in North Sydney as an independent. The papers include correspondence and press cuttings relating to the 1922 election. Main correspondents include W.M. Hughes.


Piddington, Albert Bathurst. Papers, 1894-1921.
Collection Number: MS 1158
Quantity: 7 items

The collection contains three letters by Hughes to Piddington: a letter dated 1913 February 17 offering Piddington the position of Justice on the High Court; a letter dated March 1913; and a letter dated 20 March 1920 concerning the Inter-state Commission. Also includes a letter dated 1913 January 16 to Dowell O'Reilly, (Piddington' s brother-in-law).


Piesse, Edmund Leolin. Papers, 1855-1946.
Collection Number: MS 882
Quantity: 1.4 metres (10 boxes)

Piesse was a lawyer and public servant. His papers include correspondence, memoranda and notes (1918-1923), mainly relating to Piesse's work in the Defence Department and the Prime Minister's Department, including material on the White Australia policy, New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and Australia's relations with Japan. Correspondents include Alfred Deakin, Joseph Cook and William Morris Hughes. A descriptive guide is available.


Reid, Sir George Houstoun. Papers, 1889-1918.
Collection Number: MS 7842
Quantity: 1.76 metres (6 boxes)

This collection contains Reid's personal, political and family papers. Includes a cipher telegram from Hughes to William Watt dated 3 June 1920. A descriptive list is available.


Rentoul, Alexander C. Manuscript and letters, 1939-1942.
Collection Number: MS 2916
Quantity: 0.05 metres

Alex Rentoul went to Papua in 1913 as an employee of Burns, Philp and Co., and later worked with the Australian administration in the Public Works Department, as a Patrol Officer and Resident Magistrate. The collection comprises recollections by Rentoul of his years in Papua, together with two letters to Rentoul, one of which is by W.M. Hughes (1942).


Rischbieth, Bessie. Papers, 1903-1967.
Collection Number: MS 2004
Quantity: 7.5 metres

Feminist, President of the Australian Federation of Women Voters (1921-1942). The papers include extensive correspondence, written on behalf of various women's organizations, with Hughes, as well as letters relating to the status of women. A descriptive list is available.


Robertson, George. Correspondence, 1889-1930.
Collection Number: MS 3338
Quantity: 0.02 metres

Bookseller, publisher and co-founder of the firm Angus and Robertson. Correspondents in this collection of letters to Robertson include W.M. Hughes (one letter). A descriptive list is available.


Sladen, Douglas. Papers, 1886-1921.
Collection Number: Mfm M 1977-1978
Quantity: 2 microfilm reels

English author and man of letters. Sladen resided in Victoria, 1879-1884, retaining afterwards a strong interest in Australia and Australian literature. The papers include a small amount of correspondence with W.M. Hughes. Filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held by Central Library, Richmond, Surrey, England. A descriptive list is available.


Souter, Gavin. Papers, 1975-1988.
Collection Number: MS 8604
Quantity: 9.94 (71 boxes)

Journalist and author. The collection includes research material relating to Souter's book Acts of Parliament: a narrative history, including a file on W.M. Hughes (box 55). A descriptive list is available.


Streeton, Sir Arthur Ernest. Letters, 1894-1940.
Collection Number: MS 1976
Quantity: 0.01 metres

Painter. Includes a personal letter by W.M Hughes dated 15 June 1937, largely discussing his health.


Symon, Sir Josiah Henry. Papers, 1863-1934 .
Collection Number: MS 1736
Quantity: 10.56 metres

Sir Josiah Symon was a Senator and Federal Attorney-General (1904-1905). The papers in this collection cover every phase of Symon's life, including his involvement in Federation, federal conventions and the Senate, and include ten letters by or to W.M. Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Tennyson, Hallam, 2nd Baron. Papers, 1887-1924.
Collection Number: MS 479
Quantity: 1.44 metres (9 boxes) + folio items

Lord Tennyson was Governor of South Australia and Australia's second Governor-General (1903-1904). This collection contains one letter by W.M. Hughes to Tennyson, 18 May 1916. A descriptive list is available.


'The Prime Ministers' (Episode 1, 1880s-1914), 1983 .
Collection Number: A19066856
Quantity: One video cassette

Recorded by: Boland and Assistants (production for Regional Television). Episode one of The Prime Ministers deals with the Federation movement and the first seven prime ministers of Australia (ie Barton, Deakin, Watson, Fisher, Cook, Reid and Hughes). It covers the period from the 1880s to 1914.

This film is held by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne.


'The Prime Ministers' (Episode 2, 1914-1939), 1983.
Collection Number: A19066872
Quantity: One video cassette

Recorded by: Boland and Assistants (production for Regional Television). Episode two of The Prime Ministers traces the careers of Hughes, Bruce, Scullin, Lyons, Page and Menzies; Australia's prime ministers from World War I to the outbreak of World War II.

This film is held by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne.


Ward, Edward John. Papers, 1914-1963.
Collection Number: MS 2396
Quantity: 7.62 metres

Ward was the Australian Labor Party member for East Sydney (1931-1963), and Minister for Labour and National Service (1941-1943) and Transport and External Territories (1943-1949). The collection includes one letter to W.M Hughes by Ward. A descriptive list is available. Access to the papers is partly closed.


Watson, John Christian. Papers, 1900-1941.
Collection Number: MS 451
Quantity: 0.30 metres

Chris Watson was the first leader of the Federal Labor Party and Prime Minister in 1904. W.M. Hughes was Minister for External Affairs (1904) in the Watson Government. His papers include one letter by Hughes. A descriptive list is available.


Whyte, W. Farmer. Correspondence, 1944-1950.
Collection Number: MS 970
Quantity: 3 items

Journalist and biographer of Hughes. The papers include two letters from W.M. Hughes to Whyte dated 3 March 1944 and 4 January 1946. Whyte's biography of Hughes was published by Angus and Robertson in 1957.