Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand, 1925-1967

Component identifier:

Series 47

Content Summary:

The foundation of the Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ESANZ) in 1925 was outlined by Copland in 'The Economic Society; its origin and constitution' in the Society's journal Economic Record (vol. 1, November 25, p. 140-44). Copland's association with the Society and its journal are outlined in a later article in Economic Record by F.R.E. Mauldon and G.A. Weller called 'Sir Douglas Copland and the foundation of the Economic Society' (vol. 36, no. 73, March 1960, p.143-46). In brief, Copland was Editor-in-chief of the Economic Record between 1925 and 1945 and first President of both the Society and its Victorian Branch. He became an Honorary Life Member in 1958 and maintained an interest in the Society he founded up to his death. His last article for Economic Record - a review of W.S. Kelly's Remembered days, appeared in 1969.

Series 47, a large and important series, derives from Copland's work for the ESANZ. There are two subseries. The first is arranged chronologically as received by the Library, and with slight additions, papers kept alphabetically within year remain thus. The files that consist mainly of correspondence appear to have been kept by Copland (or possibly by a secretary at the University of Melbourne Department of Commerce) without distinguishing between Copland's various ESANZ positions. The files have been used also by other ESANZ Victorian Branch Office-bearers based at the Department of Commerce such as G.A. Weller and G.W. Wood. Correspondence in Copland's general correspondence files or loose that refer directly to ESANZ matters have been added to them.

Apart from letters, telegrams, and copies of replies the first subseries includes circulars and Secretary's reports from the Victorian Branch, financial reports, memoranda to and from the Society's publisher Melbourne University Press, reviews of issues of the Economic Record, subscription lists and agenda, and minutes of Central Council meetings. The correspondence, in particular, deals with topics such as editorial matters like the assessment of contributors' articles for the Economic Record (with Editorial Board members, including L.F. Giblin and R.C. Mills). It also covers the publication of supplements of papers from meetings of Section G of A.A.A.S., Copland's correspondence with contributors and reviewers, editors of other economic journals, and secretaries of Branches in states other than Victoria and New Zealand are also in this subseries. Requests for permission to republish Economic Record articles, advertising, and subscription are some of the other subjects covered.

Although the subseries ranges between 1925 and 1969, there are large gaps. For example, for Copland's years as editor of the Economic Record (1925-1945), there are no papers for 1933, 1935, 1936, and 1939-1945. Beyond 1945, there are simply a few circulars and items of correspondence covering the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Into subseries 2 have been put a few miscellaneous papers connected with the Economic Record. There are a small number of issues and some drafts of articles and galleys.

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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