Referenda, 1926

Component identifier:

Series 29

Content Summary:

In May 1926 the Bruce-Page Government announced that it would hold two referenda to seek constitutional amendments to give the Commonwealth greater powers to regulate industry and industrial relations and to control essential services in times of emergency. During the campaign it became apparent that all the political parties, the employers and the trade unions were deeply divided towards the proposed amendments relating to industrial regulation. The referenda were held on 4 September 1926 and on both questions the Government suffered defeat.

Printed items in the series include the booklet setting out the Government's proposals, a speech by S. M. Bruce on the amendments (11 August 1926), T. R. Ashworth's The industry and commerce referendum, and Latham's address to the Victorian Chamber of Manufacturers (21 July 1926). There are typescript extracts from speeches by Bruce, notes on Sir Arthur Robinson's speech (7 July 1926), a press statement (12 July 1926), explanatory memoranda, draft circulars, and notes on Owen Dixon's opinion (2 July 1926). The newscuttings (22 May-3 August 1926) are mostly from the Age and Argus.

Comprises Files 1-4 (Items 1-160). Newscuttings in Folders 3-4 have not been assigned items numbers.

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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