Defence, 1939-1958

Component identifier:

Series 19

Content Summary:

The two boxes of papers in this series deal mainly with matters relating to the period 1955-1957, and are concerned with the Communist threat to Malaya, Siam, Vietnam, and the political as well as military defence of Formosa.

In this connection Menzies took an active role in the Prime Ministers' Conference of 1955 in London, visited Washington and addressed the United Nations. This collection contains the briefing papers prepared by the Departments of Defence and External Affairs. There are notes for speeches, hand written comments, and press statements.

Files labelled "St Mary's Filling Factory, 1957" contain briefing statements and speeches to Parliament arising from a letter in the press by Major-General Legge and the building of the new factory.

There are two Treasury reports by Sir Richard Randall and Sir Roland Wilson surveying the world money markets and the prospect for Australia borrowing abroad, 1955.

Some other items include a copy of the US and UK Treaty of Defence with Japan, 1951; a review of the Australian Armed Forces, 1951; an application for exemption from military service for members of the Christadelphian Church; and a note on the problems of A.N.A. (Australian National Airlines) wanting to withdraw from service, as they found it difficult to compete with T.A.A.

Subjects:

Politics and government

Contents

Access and use