Retirement from politics, June-December 1934

Component identifier:

Series 60

Content Summary:

On 4 July 1934 Latham wrote to J. A. Lyons and the Kooyong Election Committee stating that he had decided not to stand at the coming election. Latham denied rumours that he would soon become a Justice of the High Court, but said that he was anxious to return to the Bar. In this series there are many letters, dating from 5 July-29 November 1934, expressing disappointment that he was retiring from Parliament and congratulating him on his political achievements. There are also notes for speeches, menus, guest lists and newscuttings concerning farewell functions, particularly a lunch given to Latham in Sydney on 19 November 1934.

Comprises Files 1-4 (Items 1-245).

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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