Journalism, 1908-1909

Component identifier:

Series 16

Content Summary:

In January 1908 Latham became the Melbourne representative of the London newspaper, The Standard, and wrote regular articles on Australian affairs. In May 1908 The Standard began publishing a weekly supplement, The Standard of Empire, containing cables received from the British dominions and colonies. Due to the pressure of his legal work Latham ceased to write cables after a few months, but he continued to write articles for The Standard until May 1909. In the first part of the series are Latham's cable books (May-July 1908), notes for articles and cables, Australian press comments on The Standard and its relations with the Deakin Government, and Latham's correspondence with the editor, E. A. Gwynne, and with government departments and organisations, seeking information for articles. There are also copies of Latham's articles on Australian naval policy, Deakin's defence scheme, the Income Tax Case appeal in the Privy Council, and the Queensland elections.

The papers in the latter part of the series relate to The Trident, a monthly magazine published in Melbourne between April 1908 and March 1909. The editorial staff consisted of Latham, Walter Murdoch, A. T. Strong, Bernard O'Dowd, B. A. Levinson and H. H. Champion. The papers include an agreement between the editors and the publisher, T. A. Lothian, an agreement between the editors on the sharing of profits, financial accounts, and correspondence, mainly with Lothian.

Comprises Files 1-2 (Items 1-512).

Immediate source of acquisition:

The bulk of the collection was presented to the National Library by Sir John Latham in December 1963, a few months before his death. In November 1974 the Library purchased some further papers from a secondhand book dealer. They comprised family letters and photographs, some diaries and papers relating to the High Court. These papers have been amalgamated into the original collection.

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