53.
One thing that worries me is, that if I were to die in the relatively near future – indeed whenever I die – someone has to have the custody and control of our letters. Do you have any suggestions about this? I would not wish to leave this correspondence in Government House. Each Governor-General takes with him such material. Having regard to the probable historical importance of what we have written, it has to be, I think, preserved at this end as well as in the Palace. …
The alternatives appear to be to allow it to go into the custody of my literary editors, unopened and fully embargoed with instructions for it to be deposited in a bank or some other safe place, or to let it go to, say, the National Library completely embargoed for whatever period of time you suggest."
148 Sir Martin replied on 8 October 1976:
"I have no doubt in my own mind that the best solution, from The Queen's point of view, would be for [your papers] to be deposited in the National Library. …
If you agree to this solution it remains to be decided for what period of time your papers are placed under complete embargo. The figure we usually specify nowadays is 60 years from the end of the appointment concerned."
149 On 18 October 1977, the Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, wrote to Sir John advising that Ministers had under consideration the introduction of an Archives Bill but that the provisions for compulsory transfer, custody and access would not apply "to the records of a Governor-General or his Office" because "a proper distinction should be made between Government House records and the records of executive government", which was "reflected in the Bill as drafted". The Prime Minister proceeded to observe, however, that "Government House records nevertheless are part of the history of Australia", that it was thus "proper that they should receive all the care and protection possible" and that, to that end, the Bill provided that Archives "may enter into arrangements with a Governor-General to take custody of records under access rules which a Governor-General may lay down". He continued:
"Royal Household records, including The Queen's correspondence with Governors-General, are protected in Britain under special archives rules. I am sure you will agree that there should be no lesser protection in Australia.
… I hope that it will be possible, when the legislation is passed, for your Office to move promptly to enter into arrangements with the Australian Archives for the protection of records arising from your own period in office."
