| Description | Letter from John [Baird, John Lawrence (1874-1941) 1st Viscount Stonehaven, statesman], Government House, Melbourne, [Australia] to Neville Chamberlain. 25 November. A press cutting is also included.
This fairly lengthy letter relates to various matters, mainly regarding Australia. The main topics are: the Empire Marketing Board; tariffs [preferential tariffs for trade within the British Empire]; immigration to Australia from Britain; the recent General Election in Australia and regarding Stanley Bruce's [Prime Minister of Australia] efforts in the election; industry and unemployment in Australia; Chamberlain's idea of developing areas of Australia through a chartered company; visit of Duckham, Hirst, Clarke and Malcolm on an investigation; the standard of living in Australia; savings banks in Australia; development of wheat land in West Australia; visit of the Secretary of State for the Dominions [Leopold Amery]; Stonehaven's suggestion that the Secretary of State for the Dominions and the Secretary of State for the Colonies should be separate people; reform of the House of Lords; Douglas Hogg leaving the House of Commons; and Chamberlain's achievements in housing. |