Guide to the Papers of George Foster Pearce
MS 213
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- George Foster Pearce
- Title
- Papers of George Foster Pearce
- Date Range
- 1909-1937
- Collection Number
- MS 213
- Extent
- 0.56 metres (4 boxes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
MS 213 contains papers relating to Sir George's public life between 1909 and 1935 and includes correspondence with Harold Boas, Herbert Brookes, S.M. Bruce, R.G. Casey, Robert Garran, H.W. Gepp, Walter Massy-Greene, J.A. Lyons, W.M. Hughes and others; correspondence relating to the secession movement in Western Australia 1929-33, and other matters; together with reports, press cuttings and photographs.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2650216).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of George Foster Pearce, National Library of Australia, MS 213, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The National Library's collections of Pearce Papers were received in three separate groups, the first of which was received in 1951 from Sir George himself. The other two groups received in 1966 and 1967 came from his son Philip, through Peter R. (later Sir Peter) Heydon. Other papers from Sir George's three terms between 1908 and 1921 as Minister for Defence, were lodged in the Australian War Memorial. A further group of papers are held in the Commonwealth Archives Office (CP 820) having been transferred there in August 1960 via a strongroom from Pearce's office in Parliament House. These include (i) personal papers while he was Vice-President of the Executive Council (1926-29) and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (1930-31) and (ii) private papers 1915-30 relating to private and business interests, chiefly property, taxation and legal matters.
Related Materials
The three collections of Pearce Papers were catalogued as MS 213, MS 1827 and MS 1927 respectively, and descriptive lists are available for each collection.
Biographical Note
George Foster Pearce was born on 14 January 1870 at Mt Barker, South Australia, a son of James and Jane Pearce. He attended the public school at Red Hill, S.A., leaving at the age of eleven to became a farm boy, and later a carpenter and joiner, before migrating to Western Australia. After trying his luck unsuccessfully on the Coolgardie goldfields in 1894 and working at his trade there, he return to Perth, where he became involved in the Labour Movement, municipal politics and trade union affairs. In 1898 he was elected to the first Subiaco Municipal Council and the following year was President of the Trades and Labour Council and the Carpenters' Union. Throughout this period he actively supported the movement for Federation.
In 1901 Pearce, as a Labour candidate, was elected to the Senate at the first Federal elections and he remained there until his defeat in 1937. He became Chairman of Committees 1907-8, Minister for Defence 1908-9, 1910-3, 1914-21, and 1932-4, Acting Prime Minister in 1916, Minister for Home and Territories 1921-6, Vice-President of the Executive Council 1926-9, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate 1929-31, and Minister for External Affairs and Minister in Charge of Territories 1934-7. In 1916, he supported Hughes in the conscription crisis, and with him, left the Labour Party.
Pearce visited England and Europe in 1911 to attend the Imperial Conference and Coronation of King George V: in 1919 to arrange the repatriation of Australian soldiers and to sign the Treaty of St Germain with Austria; and in 1927 to attend the League of Nations Assembly. As the Australian member of the British Empire Delegation he attended the Washington Conference for the Limitation of Armaments in 1921-22.
In 1927 Pearce was Minister responsible for the arrangements of the tour of the Duke and Duchess of York, who visited Australia to open Parliament House in Canberra.
He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1921, became a Commander of the Legion of Honour in 1924, and Knight Commander of the Victorian Order in 1927.
After Pearce's defeat for the Senate in 1937 he was a member of the Commonwealth Grants Commission 1939-44 and Chairman of the Defence Board of Business Administration 1940-7.
In 1897 Pearce married Eliza Maud Barnett and there were two sons and two daughters. He was widowed in 1947. Carpenter to Cabinet, his autography, was published in 1951. Pearce died in Melbourne on 24 June 1952 and was accorded a State Funeral.
See also: PEARCE, George Foster, Carpenter to Cabinet (London, Hutchinson, 1951); HEYDON, Peter Richard, Quiet Decision, a study of George Foster Pearce, (Melbourne, M.U.P. 1965); MS 3155, Heydon, Sir Peter R., Papers 1901-1965. Records assembled during the writing of Quiet Decision.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Correspondence relating to the Broken Hill Strike, January-February 1916
The letters include a complaint from Mr Justice Higgins concerning the Government's handling of the strike and messages from Senator A. Gardiner and the Secretary, Railway Workers' Union, Sydney (Mr G. Bodkin) suggesting means of ending the strike.
Series 2. Correspondence relating to the formation of the National Labour Party, January 1917 January 1919
Typed notes on 'Formation of National Government, Negotiations with Liberal Party, National Labor' (Title in Pearce's handwriting), 1917 (File 1-4)
Typed copy of Minutes 'Conference of Representatives of Ministerial and LiberalParties to consider question of formation of Commonwealth War Government, February'. 8 February 1917. (File 5-6)
Letter from E.A. Anstey, South Australia, to Pearce forwarding copy of Manifesto issued by Anstey and others re their part in anti-conscription referendum, and reply by Pearce, 11 November 1916 (File 7-10)
Letter from Alex McCallum, Australian Labor Federation to Pearce, advising Pearce re W.A. State Executive's decision regarding Pearce and others who have formed the National Labor Party, 23 January 1917 (File 11-20)
Letters from J. Hilton, formerly Editor of W.A. 'Worker', re his dismissal due to his conscription sympathies. Letter from Pearce to Hilton and letter from Pearce to R.P. Vincent, President, National Referendum Committee, Perth, asking for a position for Hilton, 3 January 1917-18 January 1917 (File 21-24)
Minutes of meeting 'Industrial Committee, Metropolitan Council', Trades Hall, Perth, 6 February 1917 (File 25)
Copy of lettergram to J. Hilton, Perth, from Pearce, re ₤50 advance for organising purposes, 5 February 1917 (File 26)
Copy of letter from Pearce to Crawford Vaughan, South Australia, re break in Labor Party in South Australia, and offering assistance in formation of branch of National Labor Party, 20 February 1917 (File 28)
Copy of letter from Pearce to F.J. Bowden, Victoria, seeking support for National Labor Party, 21 February 1917 (File 29)
Letter from J.A. Southwood, Adelaide, to Pearce, re political situation in South Australia and prospects at election, 22 February 1917 (File 30)
Letter from J.G. Hay, Perth, to Pearce, and reply by Pearce. Refers to Labor Party disorganisation in Western Australia, 9 February 1917, 22 February 1917 (File 31-32)
Letter from Crawford Vaughan, to Pearce, re formation of National Labor Party in South Australia, 24 February 1917-16 April 1917 (File 33-35)
Attached are two pamphlets: (a) Tudorites charged and condemned for soliciting German money c.1917; (b) Open letter from John Forrest to the electors of Swan Division advising them re voting at General Elections, 5 May 1917
Letter from J. Breydon to Pearce and copy of letter to J. Breydon, Assistant Secretary, Engine Drivers and Fireman's Union, Trades Hall, Perth, thanking him for circulars issued by Labor Solidarity Committee. 2 circulars are attached, 16 February 1917-26 February 1917 (File 37-42)
Copy of letter from Pearce to F.G. Pritchard, Hawthorn, Victoria, seeking support for National Labor Party. Letter from Pritchard to Pearce, arranging meeting. 26 February 1917-27 February 1917. Copy of reply from Pearce to Pritchard, 3 March 1917 (File 43-46)
Copy of letter from Pearce to P. Hunt, Secretary, Amalgamated Society of Railway Employees, Perth, seeking funds for National Labor Party (Attached is a copy of a letter to be circulated to sympathetic unions), 6 March 1917 (File 47-48)
Copy of letter from Pearce to J. Hilton, Perth, contents similar to number 47-48, 6 March 1917 (File 49)
Copy of letter to W.M. Hughes, forwarding copies of circular letter (referred to in number 47-48), 7 March 1917 (File 50-53)
Copies of letters and telegrams concerning funds for organisation of National Labor Party in Western Australia by J. Hilton and others (Also 4 copies of a typed explanation by Pearce of his reply to Watson in answer to Watson's allegations re Hughes), 20 February 1917-12 March 1917 (File 54-69)
Letter from J.G. Hay re National Labor Party affairs in Western Australia, and funds required. Copy of reply by Pearce to Hay advising funds forwarded, 13 March 1917-22 March 1917 (File 70-72)
Letter from J. Cornell, M.L.C., Subiaco, Western Australia, re Labor Party affairs, forthcoming Federal election, his enlistment, etc, 13 March 1917-23 March 1917 (File 73-75)
Letter from Percy Rady re formation of branch of National Labor Party at Northam, Western Australia. Copy of letter from Pearce to P. Rady. Copy of letter from Pearce to Senator Guthrie on behalf of Rady (expresses condolence at loss of son), 15 March 1917-23 March 1917 (File 76-82)
Correspondence between Pearce and Commonwealth Electoral Officer, Perth, re distribution of new print of Commonwealth Electoral Roll, 17 March 1917-23 March 1917 (File 83-88)
Telegram from J. Hilton, Perth, to Pearce, Melbourne, sending congratulations on result for Federal Ministry in Sydney and promising similar results in Western Australia, 27 March 1917 (File 89)
Letter from M.P. Jageurs, President, United Irish League, Melbourne, to Pearce, re support for Irish Home Rule given by Senate (Attached is a cutting from the Advocate which refers to the Senate motion) (see Item 68), 31 March 1917-4 April 1917 (File 90-91)
Letter from J.G. Hay re Labor Party affairs in Perth, and requesting old copies of Standing Orders. Copy of reply Pearce advising copies cannot be supplied, 3 August 1917-13 August 1917 (File 92-94)
Letter from J.G. Hay re poor organisation of National Labor Party in Western Australia, and Labor Party affairs generally, requests help in organisation from Senator Lynch. Copy of reply from Pearce, 10 August 1917-21 August 1917 (File 95-97)
Correspondence between J. McCall, Secretary, Boulder Branch, National Labor Party, and Pearce, re financial assistance for James Reed's candidature for Boulder in Western Australian House of Assembly, 28 August 1917-24 October 1917 (File 98-101)
Letter from J.G. Hay to Pearce criticising paid secretary and organiser of National Party and minor political matters, 3 September 1917 (File 102)
Letter from J.G. Hay to Pearce, seeking to keep his employment; refers to other men who are employed in positions suitable for ex-servicemen, and who have private means, 3 September 1917 (File 103)
Correspondence between J.G. Hay and Pearce, referring to lack of organisation for and interest in National Labor Party and expressing fears of Liberal and Country Party victory, 17 August 1917-4 September 1917 (File 104-107)
Letter from J.G. Hay to Pearce re proposed meeting with Senator Lynch, and National Labor Party lack of organisation, thanks Pearce for intervening to have him retained in employment, and lists names of men whose positions could be filled by returned soldiers, 13 September 1917 (File 108-114)
Letter from J.G. Hay to Pearce re lack of interest in National Labor Party, forecasting election results in some electorates of Western Australia and capitalistic victory if Labor Party breaks up. Copy of Pearce's acknowledgement, 27 September 1917-11 October 1917 (File 115-117)
Letter from J.G. Hay to Pearce re Senator Lynch, election prospects of Dunne and others, criticism of his senior in Ordnance Depot. Copy of Pearce's acknowledgement, 18 September 1917-1 October 1917 (File 118-120)
Letter from Arthur N. Bishop, Melbourne, explaining why H. Glance was not nominated for North Melbourne. Copy of Pearce's acknowledgement, 25 September 1917-1 October 1917 (File 121-122)
Copy of letter to H. Glance, Footscray, from Pearce advising Glance to approach F.J. Bowden for assistance in organising, 11 October 1917 (File 123)
Letter from H. Glance, Secretary, National Labor Party, Footscray, enclosing membership card and leaflet re organisation (Leaflet attached). Copy of Pearce's reply, 15 October 1917-16 October 1917 (File 124-127)
List of branches established and proposed by Labor Solidarity Committee of Western Australia, and names of Secretaries. Copy of Pearce's acknowledgement, 24 October 1917 (File 128-130)
Letter from J.G. Hay to Pearce mentioning Senator Lynch, election results, rise of International Workers of the World element in Western Australian politics, sugar industry, and East-West railway, 15 October 1917-26 October 1917 (File 131-132)
Correspondence between A.W. Piper, Liberal Party, Adelaide, and Pearce, re matter discussed by Piper and Pearce. (Cutting from Adelaide paper The Nationalist with marked paragraph re Coalition Government). Copy of letter from Pearce to Reginald Blundell, Secretary, National Party, Adelaide, 2 December 1918-11 December 1918 (File 133-137)
Letter from R. Blundell, Adelaide, to Pearce; mentions Pearce's proposed trip, and Liberal Party. Copy of Pearce's acknowledgement, 11 January 1919-13 January 1919 (File 138-139)
Series 3. Correspondence concerning the visit of the Duke Of York for the opening of Parliament House, Canberra, June 1926 - May 1927
The correspondence is official and deal chiefly with arrangements for the opening of Parliament House. Included is a printed copy of proceedings in the Senate for the occasion.
Series 4. Correspondence relating to National Insurance and Maternity Allowance, June - July 1928
The series comprises two exchanges of letters and attachments: Letter from Senator Pearce to Dr Earle Page enclosing copies of letters sent by Senator J.D. Millen to the Prime Minister; Letter from Hon. J.G. Latham to Senator Pearce enclosing a memorandum on National Insurance and Maternity Allowance.
Series 5. Miscellaneous Official and Semi-Official Correspondence, 1910-1935
Letter from W.M. Hughes to the Minister for Defence, Melbourne (Attached copy of letter to the Attorney-General dated at Melbourne, 9 December 1910)., 14 December 1910 (File 1-3)
Copy of letter to Andrew Fisher, High Commissioner for Australia, London. Telegrams to and from Fisher re Pearce's accident attached, 15 January 1916 (File 5-8)
Letters from Governor-General, Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, to Pearce, 10, 11 and 25 February 1916 and 8, 12, 13, 14 and 16 March 1916 (File 9-30)
Letter from Munro-Ferguson to Pearce, 11 May 1916 (File 22)
Copy of cablegram received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies. 9 May 1916
Letter from Munro-Ferguson to Pearce to which is attached a memorandum re examinations for higher divisions of the Civil Service, 5 August 1916 (File 27)
Letter from W. Maloney to the Acting Prime Minister (Attached a copy of report of the Royal Commission appointed to enquire into certain charges against Henry Chinn ordered to be printed 27 November 1913), 13 March 1916 (File 31-36)
Copy of cablegram received by Governor-General from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, 21 September 1916 (File 37-38)
Copy of telegram from Pearce to Prime Minister, re closing hotels from 5 p.m, 18 December 1917 (File 40)
Letter from Sir John Forrest to Pearce re Cabinet meeting. Dated at Perth, 22 December 1917 (File 41-43)
Copies of telegrams to and from Pearce and a press cutting re 'The Maltese Question', 24 April 1917 (File 47)
Telegram from Payne to Murray c/- Pearce re finding of Kingsford-Smith and party, 12 April 1929 (File 48)
A file of correspondence addressed mainly to and from Miss P. Bagley, Hon. Secretary, Reform Labor League of Tasmania, 1918-1919 (File 49-59)
Letter from S.M. Bruce, dated s.s. 'Mooltan' At Sea (Copy of cable despatched to Pearce from Prime Minister dated 9 September 1926 attached), 14 September 1926 (File 84-86)
Letter from Colin Buist, Equerry in Waiting, Government House, Canberra, to Pearce re photographs of the Duke and Duchess of York, 15 May 1927 (File 87)
Draft letter to Acting Governor-General signed 'H.W.G." re formation of non-party Government, 10 December 1930 (File 103-108)
Envelope marked 'Arrangements with Sir C. Nathan - visit to UK' containing draft letter to Prime Minister (Two typed copies, one handwritten copy). c., 1931 (File 112a_112g)
Draft of cypher telegram to Casey, Treasurer, Canberra. Initialled "G.F.P.' (Re appointment of External Affairs officer to British Embassy at Washington), 29 June 1936 (File 115)
Series 6. Press cuttings on the Annual Conference of the Political Labour League of New South Wales, June 1917
Series 8. Press releases and articles by Senator Pearce while Leader of The Opposition in the Senate, July - October 1931
This series includes some correspondence concerning the preparation and distribution of the articles and cuttings and drafts of the articles.
Series 10. Reports of Labour Party Conferences, 1918, 1919 and 1924
Comprises 3 reports: Copy of a report to the Metropolitan Council of the A.L.F. by D. Cameron, delegate for Western Australia, to the Australian Labour Party Conference at Perth, June 1918; Official Report of the Second Annual Conference of the National Labour Party of Western Australia, April 1919; Official Report of the Tenth Conference of the Australian Federal Labour Party, Melbourne, October 1924.
Series 11. Report and Supplementary Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee On Air Communications Within and Beyond Australia, October-November 1932
Series 12. Minute of Meetings of National Party, 14 October 1920 - 7 September 1922
Longhand minutes, including principal points made by speakers and a record of decisions. The minutes are not signed, with the exception of one meetings. During the end of the book the minutes are in handwriting of C.W.C. Marr, the Nationalist Whip in 1921-25.
Series 13. Manifesto by Senator Pearce and five other Federal Labour Ms P. explaining their decision to support the Government formed by W.M. Hughes in 1917.
Includes a distribution list for the manifesto and some correspondence concerning the setting up of a National Labour Party organization in Western Australia.
Series 14. Papers relating to Parliamentary and Cabinet business, 1909-1927
Printed cabinet minute (confidential) n.d. advising Governor-General to dissolve Parliament. c., 1909 (File 1-11)
Copy of memorandum of agreement between Commonwealth and States of Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania re overseas borrowing, 6 November 1915 (File 12-13)
Copy of Judgement by Dixon J. in Dignan v. Australian Steamships Pty Ltd. Extracts from the Journals of the Senate (29 July 1931), Statutory Rules (12 June 1931), and copy of notice of motion (18 June 1931) attached. (File 14-51)
Copy of Commission empowering H.R.H. the Duke of York to inaugurate the first meeting of the Commonwealth Parliament at Canberra, Dated 28 December 1926 (File 52-53)
Covering letter from Secretary of State. 9 February 1927
Series 15. Papers relating to the Development and Migration Commission, 1927-1928
Notes of conferences between L.M.S. Amery and S.M. Bruce and others at Canberra., 3 & 4 November 1927 (File 1-87)
Memorandum of one of the Development and Migration Commissioners to the Chairman Sir H. Gepp, 1 December 1927 (File 88-89)
Notes of a meeting held in Lord Lovat's room at the Oversea Settlement Department to consider proposals for a development scheme in Western Australia. Apparently compiled by Lord Lovat, 6 June 1928 (File 90-94)
Letter from Sir Charles Nathan to Pearce concerning the latter's discussions in London on the Western Australian Land Settlement Scheme and cablegram to Pearce and Gepp, P.M.'s Department, 13 June 1928, 12 June 1928 (File 95-97)
Series 16. Papers relating to the movement for secession in Western Australia, 1929-1933
Report of the Royal Commission of the finances of Western Australia as affected by Federation together with appendices. Printed by command; 23 September 1925 for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia - № 49, 23 September 1925 (File 1-94)
Letter to E.H. Harris, Perth. 29 May 1929 Letter from the Department of the Treasury, Canberra to Murray (Attached press cuttings), 28 May 1929 (File 95-100)
Report of the Committee appointed to prepare a further case on disabilities of Western Australia under Federation. Published by authority at Perth in 1932. Y9875/32 (File 103-126)
Copy of Resolution carried by the Council of the Dominion League of Western Australia (2 copies), 22 February 1932 (File 127-127A)
Copy of letter to H.K. Watson, Chairman of the Dominion League of Western Australia dated at Canberra, 2 March 1932 (File 128-128a)
Copy of letter to the Editor The Western Australian Perth, dated at Canberra, 2 March 1932 (File 129)
Letter from the National Party of Western Australia and the United Australia Party (Federal) to Pearce, 17 August 1932 (File 132-133)
Notes on official case relating to disabilities of Western Australia under Federation, 10 October 1932 (File 157-173)
Letter from William Leslie to Pearce (Attached press cutting re Secession and copy of letter from Leslie to the Editor, West Australian re Unconstitutional Secession, dated 21 October 1932 24 October 1932 (File 174-176)
Draft of information given to Sir Charles Nathan re Western Australian Case by Department of the Treasury, Canberra, 30 November 1932 (File 179-181)
Letter from Harold Boas to Pearce. (Attached letter from A.H. Mallock to Pearce dated 29 December 1932), 31 December 1932 (File 186-195)
Letter from Boas to Pearce. (Attached copy of telegram from Boas to Martyn Threlfall, Prime Minister's Department, Canberra, 19 January 1933 (File 197-200)
Copy of letter from Boas to Thelfall dated 19 January 1933. Note on Anti-Secession Campaign publicity, 19 January 1933 (File 201-204)
Letter from Federal League, to Pearce (Attached copy of letter from the Federal League, to the Postmaster-General, Sydney, dated 27 January 1933), 28 January 1933 (File 208-212)
Copy of letter from the Federal League, Perth, to J.A. Lyons. (Attached copy of telegram from Boas to Lyons, Melbourne dated 4 February 1933), 4 February 1933 (File 223-227)
Copy of letter from Private Secretary to the Minister for Defence toBoas, 6 February 1933 (File 228)
Copy of letter from Pearce to S.H. Hearne, Secretary of the Federal League, Perth, 7 February 1933 (File 229)
Typed note entitled 'Statement for Prime Minister on Secession' dated at Melbourne, 16 February 1933 (File 246-247)
Copy of letter from the Federal League, to Hill, Agent-General Elect, South Australia, 11 February 1933 (File 250-253)
Letter from the Federal League, to Pearce. (Attached press cuttings re Secession, 21 February 1933), 25 February 193 (File 258-259)
Booklet entitled 'Secession or Convention?' Issued by the Federal League of Western Australia (4 copies), March 1933 (File 266-273c)
Press cuttings re 'Secession'. Extract from Daniel Webster's 'Compromise on the Constitution', undated (File 294-294a)
Letter from A.J. Lea Holt, Secretary of the Fremantle Businessmen's Association to Pearce, 3 March 1933 (File 295-296)
Letter from J.J. Simons of The Mirror, Perth to Pearce. (Attached press cuttings on 'Secession' dated 4 March 1933), 4 March 1933 (File 315-319)
Letter from Symon, Q.C., to Pearce. (Attached copy of letter from J. Chamberlain to Symon dated 31 December 1900), 11 March 1933 (File 326-327)
Press cuttings re 'Secession' and drafts of articles on 'Secesssion' by David G. Stead, undated (File 331-339)
Letter from David G. Stead to Pearce. (Attached manuscripts of two articles by Stead, Editor of The Australian Geographer on 'Secession - Western Australian Dangerous Movement'), 15 March 1933 (File 358-365a)
Copy of letter from Pearce to Symon. (Attached extract from The Advertiser, Monday 16 September 1912 re turning the first sod for the East-West Railway by Lord Denman at Port Augusta on 14 September 1912), 18 March 1933 (File 367-369)
Minute from Inspector Roland S. Browne to the Minister for Defence re Nathan, Perth, 17 March 1933 (File 371)
Letter from C.C. Smith to Pearce. (Attached booklet entitled The Sydney Harbour Bridge - Romance of Destiny - and leaflet entitled Armageddon - Walter Marks in the Role of Prophet), 17 March 1933 (File 373-386)
Letter from the Chairman of the Federal League, to Pearce concerning itinerary of visit of Prime Minister, 24 March 1933 (File 388-392)
Copy of letter from Pearce to the Editor, West Australian, dated at Perth, 28 March 1933 (File 416-416b)
List of engagements of Pearce during the Anti-Secession Campaign in Perth, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30 March 1933. (File 417-418)
Copies of telegrams from Pearce to the Secretary, Roads Board, Cranbrook, Wagin and Mt Baker, 29 March 1933 (File 422-424)
Letter from J.B. Hanson Co, Chartered Accountants, Perth, to Call and Mirror Newspapers Ltd, Perth, 22 March 1933 (File 468)
Extract from Vosper's Speech - Hansard 10 October 1899 - Reprinted Sunday Times, 29 July 1900 (File 471)
Telegram to Pearce from Swanson, Assistant Private Secretary to Prime Minister, 7 April 1933 (File 472-475)
Copy of cablegram from J.G. Latham to S.M. Bruce, Minister without portfolio, London, 6 April 1933 (File 478)
Press cuttings re Victory Festival organised by Dominion League of Western Australia in celebration of Secession referendum campaign, May 1933 (File 486)
Typed statement - 'Approximate allocation amongst the States of the receipts and expenditure of the consolidated revenue fund for 1931-32' (File 540-542)
Series 17. Papers relating to rural indebtedness, 1933-1934
Typed copy of correspondence between Pearce, Minister for Defence, Latham, Attorney-General, Lyons and others re Gilbert and the Secession question. (File 10-12a)
Copy of letter from Pearce to Gilbert re Gilbert's financial proposals. Other relative correspondence attached, 22 May 1933 (File 22-22a)
Letter from Dr Roland Wilson to W. Massy-Greene expressing an opinion on Gilbert's proposals, 29 May 1933 (File 23)
Copy of memorandum from the Statistician's Branch, Department of the Treasury on Gilbert's 'Proposals on Rural Mortgages', 20 May 1933 (File 25-28)
Copy of letter to Pearce re the 'betterment of the rural position'. The letter bears no signature but it was probably written by Gilbert, 12 May 1934 (File 34-35)
Copy of telegram from Pearce to Gilbert re staying in Melbourne before proceeding to Canberra, 16 May 1934. (File 36-36a)
Letter from R.G. Casey to Pearce (Attached copy of letter from Casey to Lyons dated 7 June 1934 re 'Rural Indebtedness'), 7 June 1934 (File 50-53a)
Telegram from H.K. Watson, Canberra to Pearce, Perth, re unnamed applicant for position London representative of Meat Board, 18 February 1937 (File 64)
Series 18. Telegrams and mementos concerning the Act authorising the construction of the Trans Australian Railway and the turning of the first sod, 1911-1913
Series 21. Miscellaneous papers, 1915-1929
Series 22. Photographs, c.1913-1935.
Copy of cartoon from the Western Mail, Perth entitled 'Dropping the Pilot', a souvenir of the Labor Victory in Federal Parliament. (At top left hand corner is printed 'With J.G. Hay's compliments'), 13 April 1910 (File)
Group at opening of the Port Pirie, Port Augusta Section of the Trans-Australia Railway at Port Pirie, (Left to right: Archdale Parkhill, J.A. Lyons, Mayor of Port Pirie, Enid Lyons, Paterson, Badman, Hudd), 23 July 1937 (File)
Four photographs in a package labelled Mt Barker (South Australia) Centenary, Family Photographs at Reunion, 1936 (File)
Includes Cottage of Pearce's grandmother at Mt Barker; On verandah of Pearce's birthplace at Mt Baker (From left to right: C.J. Pearce, H.J. Pearce, W.T. Pearce, G.F. Pearce); On verandah of Pearce's birthplace at Mt Baker (From left to right: C.J. Pearce, H.J. Pearce, W.T. Pearce, G.F. Pearce);