Summary

Booklet by Eric D. Butler titled 'A New Britannia in The Southern Seas', published by the Australian League of Rights in 1993. The League of Rights was formed in South Australia in 1946, with a national organisation launched in 1960. The League describes itself as upholding the virtues of freedom, its stated values are 'loyalty to God, Queen and Country' and it has portrayed itself as anti-political party.

Eric Dudley Butler was an Australian political activist and journalist, and the founder of the Australian League of Rights. Butler founded the South Australian League of Rights in 1946, centred on the anti-bank nationalisation campaign, and subsequent state branches before the Australian League of Rights was established in 1960. Butler served as The Australian League of Rights National Director until his retirement in 1992.

Physical Description

26 page booklet, the cover features Australian flag and white title type.

Significance

These publications add to the museum's collection of documents representing the anti-immigration debate in Australia.

It can be challenging to collect documents and other objects relating to anti-immigration and racist organisations, which are characteristically guarded and secretive. This growing collection of documents now represents a span of almost 40 years.

The first League of Rights was founded in SA in 1946; the organisation was nationalised as the Australian League of Rights in 1960. It describes itself as a Christian-based 'political watchdog, equipped to warn the individual about threats to rights and freedoms'. Its platforms include opposition to communism and the Untied Nations, and support of the monarchy. See http://www.alor.org/ for further information. The organization stocks both material published itself or that which supports its generally right wing social views. These particular publications are anti multiculturalism and promote a dominant (ie British) culture for Australia.

It is important to acquire these sorts of documents since they strengthen the representation of diverse community opinion. They will also make a significant contribution to the 'balance' of Gallery 4 now and in the coming years.

More Information