14. Correspondence and Memoranda about Constitutional Matters, 1914-1920

Containers:

Box 6

Component identifier:

Series

Content Summary:

Subjects include double dissolution of 1914 with advice from Sir Samuel Griffith and Government; referendum proposals of 1914; A Berriedale Keith's memorandum on double dissolution and other Constitutional matters; Sir Edmund Barton's advice about the need for a King's speech at the opening of Parliament after 1917 election; memorandum on power to dismiss individual Ministers; Sir Samuel Griffith's memorandum on the prerogative and discretionary powers of the Crown; memoranda (1915-1918) on the conduct of the Executive Council; the Constitutional relations between the Executive Government and the Judiciary as affected by WM Hughes' proposed judicial enquiry (1918) into the internment of enemy agents; representation of Dominion judges on Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; invoking the Dormant Commission in 1920. Comprises Items 4428-4825.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were received in 1961 from Mr A.B.L. Munro Ferguson and the Trustees of the late Viscount Novar. Thirty photographs copied from the Novar albums in the possession of Mr Munro Ferguson were added to the collection in 1985. Subsequent additions include five illuminated manuscripts purchased from a dealer in 1990 and transcripts of extracts from Novar's diaries donated by Professor John Poynter in 1997. Six volumes of diaries, on long-term loan from Mr Ronald Munro Ferguson (great nephew of Lord Novar), were added to the collection on 12 January 2004. The diaries were kept by Lord Novar while he was Governor General of Australia between 1915 and 1920.

Access and use