Development and Migration Commission, 1927-1929

Component identifier:

Series 21

Content Summary:

The Development and Migration Commission was established by the Federal Government in 1926, ironically towards the end of the 'Men, money and markets' economic boom it was meant to foster. One of the Commission's chief functions was the analysis of particular industries and the recommendation of new development schemes.

In 1928 it was asked to report on unemployment and the business cycle in Australia. Copland helped draft the report (Report on unemployment and business stability in Australia, Melbourne, Government Printer, 1928) and wrote its long Appendix titled 'The control of the business cycle with special reference to Australia'.

Series 21 is a small collection of papers relating mainly to the writing of the 1928 report. There are drafts, some correspondence with the Commission Chairman H.W. Gepp and others, and relevant printed material. It also contains copies of other Commission reports, including those on shale oil, potatoes, and the fishing industry.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Lady Copland presented the personal papers of Sir Douglas Copland to the National Library in September 1973. Additions to the collection were received from the Copland Family between 1977 and 1981.

Names:

Copland, D.B. (Douglas Berry), 1894-1971

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