The Call to Arms

On 14 February 1916, Premier Holman approved the publication of a ‘weekly gazette’ titled ‘The Call to Arms’,[1] in order to secure “adequate publicity in connection with the Recruiting Campaign” which was underway in New South Wales.[2]  The publication was seen as a way to provide better recruitment publicity in the press, as well as addressing the logistical challenges associated with mass communication to war service committees throughout the state.[3]

The Call to Arms was printed by the Government Printing Office at an estimated cost of £163 per issue for 25,000 copies, of which only £63 was expected to be covered by advertising fees.  The Premier’s publicity officer advised against producing at such a loss; however Premier Holman ignored the advice with the first issue being published on 3 March 1916.[4] A copy could be purchased for one penny.

The publication, essentially an unofficial voice of the State War Council of NSW, was edited and managed voluntarily by the Council’s own organising secretary James Howard Catts, who had suggested the concept of the The Call to Arms to the Premier on 8 February 1916.[5]

Due to Catts being made chairman of the Commonwealth Prices Adjustment Board early in the publication’s existence, as well as the costs of publishing not being covered by advertising revenue, The Call to Arms’ last issue was number 8, released on Anzac Day, 25 April 1916.[6]

See the below gallery featuring the pages of three issues of The Call to Arms – Number 2, 10 March 1916; Number 6, 7 April 1916; and the final issue, Number 8, 25 April 1916.

Number 2, 10 March 1916

Back to Top ↑

Number 6, 7 April 1916

Back to Top ↑

Number 8, 25 April 1916

Back to Top ↑

Related

Wartime posters and publications

References

[1] State Archives NSW: Premier’s Department; NRS 12060, Letters received 1907-1976; [9/4732] B16/1725
[2] SANSW: NRS 12060; [9/4728] A16/1042
[3] SANSW: NRS 12060; [9/4732] B16/1725
[4] SANSW: NRS 12060; [9/4728] A16/1042
[5] SANSW: NRS 12060; [9/4732] B16/1725
[6] Ibid