Adviser to New South Wales Government, 1931-1939

Component identifier:

Series 28

Content Summary:

In December 1932 Copland and W.E. Johnson were commissioned by the New South Wales Premier B.S.B. Stevens to make a preliminary investigation 'into the relations of State and Commonwealth finances, the position of the Commonwealth Bank and the effect of Treasury Bill Finance ... '. During his 1933 overseas trip Copland again helped by investigating the availability of capital for investment in New South Wales. Finally, although he declined the offer of an official position as Economic Advisor in 1937, he did give them constant advice during 1937 and 1938 about the loan council, State finance and other matters. Series 4 includes correspondence re Copland's payment for this work.

Series 28 provides some of the evidence of Copland's work for the New South Wales State government. It consists mainly of correspondence, cables, and telegrams, 1932-1939, particularly with Stevens, the NSW Agent-General in London J.W. Ferguson, economist Dr E. Ronald Walker, and Stevens' secretaries L.J. Rose and A.W. Welsh.

There are copies of reports and memoranda as well, and statistics, drafts of reports, cuttings, and copies of some of Stevens' broadcasts and speeches. A set of New South Wales Bureau of Statistics and Economic Business Statistics: Weekly Notes, 1938-39, completes the series.

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

Access and use