Thomas Bavin's Diary: A Year with Prime Minister Barton

Prime Minister Edmond Barton's Private Secretary, Thomas Bavin (1874 - 1941), (Knighted 1933), Lawyer, judge, politician and Premier of New South Wales, 1927 - 1930, Bavin's 1902 diary, with an entry for almost every day of the year. On an introductory page, Bavin notes, Went as Crown Prosecutor to Albury Circuit Court in April. Met Mr Barton on Station, he asked me to accept position of Private Sec'y. Went to Melb. Friday, saw Mr Barton at (the) Grand, Friday night. Returned Sydney Saturday. Wired accepting position on Tuesday. Left Sydney for Melb. on Apl.30th. Well established in his position by the following January (when the diary begins), Bavin recounts his travels, meetings, responsibilities and observations, 4th Jan: 'Deputation to Mr Barton re Chaplains for Contingent.. 9th Jan: 'Spent afternoon preparing notes of speech. Meeting [at Maitland] packed. Mr. B. spoke well. Used practically all my material. Meeting quiet, attentive, not very enthusiastic. Had long talk with Mr. B. in train re War, Chamberlain, Imperial connection. He is a strong believer in (the) Imperial connection... I pointed out disadvantage of embroilment in Old-world squabbles - new ideals for Australia to work out. 14th Jan: 'Prepared notes for speech on Resolution to be proposed re. S.A. War, condemning continental libels, & expressing willingness of Australia to assist. Also statement re action for gov'r in agreeing to send troops without consulting Parl't. Seems to me we are making an appalling mistake.... 15 Jan: 'Discussed Queensland's Japanese treaty - I took the view that Comm'wealth not bound by it, but might fairly give 1 yr's notice of denunciation. Watson moved adjournment of House to discuss Immigration Restriction.. 17 Jan: 'Parl't House. Collins informed us that Vict. Contingent had struck for non pay. 20th Jan: 'Cable from Imp'l Gov't asking for fresh Contingent, which Mr Barton intends to send. 7 Feb: 'Patl't House..Tom Roberts was here in the afternoon... Met with W.M. Hughes & Bamford after House rose. H. told me they had just completed formation of a Union of all Waterside labour throughout Australia - by far the biggest Union here - 8000 or 10,000 members. 13 Feb: '..In the evening, I Came in to Parl't House to work, but Mr Deakin came in & talked - as he always does, delightfully. He is the most active man mentally I have ever seen. We discussed the Monarchy, Coronation (about which he said 'the crowd must have its shows'), the War - about which he said, 'selfish capitalists on one side & bigoted ignorant farmers on the other.. A remarkable first-hand record of a year in the life of the first Prime Minister of Australia.