John McEwen interviewed by Ray Aitchison [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 2136029
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- McEwen, John, Sir, 1900-1980, interviewee
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 1974 Oct. 20
- 2 tape reels (ca. 6 hr. 34 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips, mono ; 7 in.
- Summary:
-
McEwen, the former Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, speaks of his family background; first job at 13; education; anti-conscription campaign, 1917; AIF; soldier settler, Stanhope, Vic.; standing for State Parliament, 1932; Country Party membership; Victorian CP's opposition to composite govt.; expulsion from Party, 1937; early impressions of Federal Parliament; Page, Hughes, Scullin, Curtin, Menzies; wheat crisis, 1930s; Menzies' leadership; proposed Country Party split with Menzies; Fadden; periods as Minister for Interior, External Affairs; installation of pro-De Gaulle govt in New Caledonia; War Cabinet; diplomatic relations with Japan; reading interests; work as member of Wharf Volunteers Union; Douglas MacArthur; Archie Cameron; Minister for Air; Empire Air Training Scheme; sending Aust. forces to Greece; demise of United Australia Party.
McEwen discusses Country-Liberal Party relations; Uniform Tax Bill; Spender; Beazley; 1934 Coalition Govt; 1945 San Francisco Conference; UN power of veto; Opposition leadership; Snedden; Calwell; Chifley; Dutch Indonesia; Holt; Hasluck; McMahon & relations with CP; Gorton; Liberal-Country Party leadership; Rattigan & Tariff Board; Vernon report; CP Cabinet; party funding; Minister for Commerce & Agriculture, 1949; Dept. of Trade; GATT; trade negotiation; job stress; British entry to Common Market; Japanese-Australian trade; developing countries; Suez crisis; iron ore embargo; Connellan Airways; retirement; corruption; parliamentary system.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on 20 October, 27 October and 17 November 1974, at the home of Sir John & Lady McEwen, Toorak, Vic.
- Also available online https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-354994086
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary and transcript (typescript, 166 leaves) available.
- Subject:
-
- McEwen, John, Sir, 1900-1980 -- Interviews
- Australian Country Party (1920-1975) -- History
- Liberal Party of Australia -- History
- Prime ministers -- Australia -- History
- Cabinet officers -- Australia -- History
- Australia -- Politics and government -- 1945-
- Australia -- Politics and government -- 1922-1945
- Other authors/contributors:
- Aitchison, Ray, 1923-, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2044 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1974
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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