Work for Commonwealth Government, 1942-1947

Containers:

Box 26, 26a, 27 (MS 2505)

Component identifier:

Series 12

Content Summary:

During the years 1942 to 1947 the Commonwealth Government sought Barry's assistance on a number of occasions.

The series is divided into seven small subseries, some of which consist of only a few letters and press cuttings. Although not large, each one is of some significance.

On 3 March, 1942, the Commonwealth Government appointed Justice Lowe to constitute a Committee of Inquiry to investigate and report on the circumstances of the Japanese air raid on Darwin. Barry travelled to Darwin, as counsel advising the Inquiry. A small number of letters from Curtin, Lowe, and H.G. Alderman are included together with a copy of the committee's report. (items 1-17).

Barry was appointed a member of the Alien Classification and Advisory Committee which was established in 1942, under the chairmanship of A.A. Calwell. There is correspondence with Calwell, S.C. Taylor and N. Lamidey, committee agenda, memoranda and printed material including interim reports in 1943 and 1944.

During 1943 he was a member of an Australian Broadcasting Commission sub-committee set up to consider enemy propaganda. There is some correspondence from W. Macmahon Ball (items 18-394).

E.J. Ward invited Barry to join a committee of five to advise on the establishment of an institute to train administrative staff for Australia's external territories. Contained here are letters from Ward, J.R. Halligan and W.E. Stanner in 1944, together with a draft of the constitution of the proposed institute (items 395-436).

In 1944 Barry was appointed a Commissioner to inquire into the February 1942 Suspension of Civil Administration in the Mandated Territory of Papua, and as chairman of a committee of three to recommend a plan of compensation for natives in Papua and other mandated territories. He was assisted by J.H. McClemens, H.I.P. Hogbin, and J.L. Taylor, and correspondence with them together with a typescript copy of the transcript of evidence of the Inquiry and many press cuttings form this subseries. (items 437-511).

Later in 1945 he was appointed a Commissioner to inquire into and report on matters relating to the alleged submission of resignations by certain Air Force officers in a forward area (Moratai). There is correspondence with Arthur Drakeford, the Minister for Air, a typescript copy of the report, and many press cuttings. Two editorials concerning Barry's report were published in the Sunday Telegraph (Sydney) in October 1945. Arising from these there was correspondence with R. Hughes and E.W. McAlpine of Consolidated Press Ltd. concerning alleged defamation. Barry's statements are included, together with the letters from their solicitors, which resulted in the case being settled out of court in April 1946. (items 512-586).

Barry was a member of the Regulations Advisory Committee set up in 1944 to review National Security Regulations and Orders. There is correspondence with the chairman, A.D. Fraser and secretary, L.D. Lyons concerning the six reports made by the committee from 1944 until 1946, records of proceedings of their meetings, and press cuttings. (items 587-1265).

In August 1946, he was appointed a member of the Overseas Telecommunications Commission, and there is correspondence with J. Malone and J.E. Stevens concerning staff appointments, draft regulations and agenda for meetings. (items 1266-1290).

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