Summary
Folio-sized cream-coloured paper memorandum printed in black. The memorandum, addressed to the Municipal Clerk of Maryborough from the Secretary of the Department of Public Works, induces local authorities to place their halls at the disposal of military authorities for drilling. The memorandum includes a letter from Prime Minister Andrew Fisher, explaining why the halls are needed:
'The training of the young men of Australia will certainly be necessary in all populated areas, where there at present exist municipal or shire halls; and, with a view to decreasing the otherwise necessary expenditure on the construction of local drill halls and offices, I shall be glad if you will kindly favour with your good offices and powerful influence in the direction of inducing the local governing bodies in your State to place their halls at the disposal of the military authorities of the Commonwealth for, say, two evening in each week, and to grant the use of some smaller rooms ahd offices and storerooms.' The Department of Defence is to meet costs of cleaning and lighting connected with this use.
The Secretary of the Department of Public Works confirms that 'The Minister [for public works, presumably] strongly concurs in the Prime Minister's proposal, which is an important one from a national standpoint'.
Physical Description
Folio-sized cream-coloured paper memorandum printed in black. The form includes the signature of the Minicipal Clerk of Maryborough, showing he is compliant with the directive by the Prime Minister, communicated by the Premier, that steps be taken by local authorities to place their halls at the disposal of military authorities for drilling. The lower half of the memorandum includes a letter from Prime Minister Andrew Fisher, explaining why the halls are needed. The paper is somewhat creased, with small tears, and dark discolouration at centre bottom edge.
Significance
Dated four years before the outbreak of World War I, this memorandum is significant as a reminder of the extent to which military training was part of public life, and defence and readiness for military conflict was prioritized. Many of the soldiers enlisting in the first years of World War I had had previous military experience (further research required to determine numbers and proportion of population).
More Information
-
Collecting Areas
-
Acquisition Information
Purchase
-
Date Issued
-
Place Named
-
Author
-
Inscriptions
Printed: 'Department of Public Works / MELBOURNE, / 1st July, 1910. / MEMORANDUM'...Extensive text follows. A signature appears at the end of this section: 'E.[?].Drake[?]'. The word 'Maryborough' has been written in ink onto a line beneath the words 'THE MUNICIPAL CLERK'. The lower half of the letter is headed 'COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / Melbourne, 4th June, 1910.'. Extensive text follows.
-
Classification
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
Overall Dimensions
216 mm (Width), 343 mm (Height)
-
Keywords