[Editor: This article, regarding the Kangaroo and Map stamps, was published in The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 11 April 1912.]
The Commonwealth stamp
Enthusiastic Mr. Frazer.
“When the people get used to it.”
Mr. C. E. Frazer, Postmaster-General, who had been staying in Sydney since Wednesday last, left for Brisbane by the northern express yesterday. Mr. Frazer said there was nothing of any great public interest connected with his visit.
Conversation then turned in the direction of the new stamp. Mr. Frazer was enthusiastic. “They’ll be in use in about eight or nine months,” he declared triumphantly.
He was toying with a bulky envelope at the time, and suddenly pulled out half-a-dozen specimen prints of the stamp, in various colors.
“Could you wish for anything better? Neat, simple, and artistic. Look at that stamp,” demanded the Postmaster-General, holding it at arm’s length, “and show me where’s the suggestion of the ‘seven years’ drought which ‘The Daily Telegraph’ found in it. The design is not half as bad as it is made out to be, and when the people get used to it they’ll love it. What else could you get to represent our continent more thoroughly than a kangaroo?”
“You might have brought in the symbol of the ‘Golden Fleece’,” was suggested.
The Postmaster-General thought for a moment, and then dismissed the suggestion. “No! You couldn’t improve on the kangaroo,” he said with an air of finality, as he stepped into the car and made himself comfortable. Then, reminiscently, as the train steamed out of the platform, “You can’t beat Sydney for a holiday, stamps or no stamps.”
Source:
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 11 April 1912, p. 10 (Second Edition)
Editor’s notes:
C. E. Frazer = Charles Edward Frazer (1880-1913), engine driver, politician, Postmaster-General (1911- 1913); he was born in Yarrawonga (Vic.) in 1880, and died in Melbourne (Vic.) in 1913
See: 1) Ross McMullin, “Frazer, Charles Edward (1880–1913)”, Australian Dictionary of Biography
2) “Charlie Frazer”, Wikipedia
Golden Fleece = sheep, especially merino sheep, as a symbol of Australia (“the land of the Golden Fleece” is a phrase which refers to Australia)
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