PM Transcripts

66/ 0 17
FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 21/ 1966
ECONOMIC CONSULTATI ONS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt
Members of the Economic Committee of Cabinet
have conducted a series of discussions in the course of the day
with representatives of official advisory bodies and with a group
of national organisations representing industry and commerce.
There were separate meetings this morning with the Manufacturing
Industries Advisory Council and the Export Development Council.
This afternoon, the talks continued with the group ~ f national
organisations which comprised:
Associated Chambers of Manufactures of Australia
Associated Chambers of Commerce of Australia
National Farmers' Union of Australia
Australian Primary Producers' Union
Australian W~ ool Growers' and Graziers' Council
Australian Wdool and Meat Producers' Federation
Australian Bankers' Association
Master Builders' Federation of Australia
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
Australian Council of Retailers.
Members of all these bodies expressed appreciation
that the new Government was continuing the practice of holding
talks of this kind at half yearly intervals. It was agreed that
the talks had been found of great value to the Government, and alsrn
to industry and ccmmerce. The Prime Minister said the talks were
most timely, as Cabinet would be proceeding tomorrow to consideration
of a number of papers prepared by the Treasury and other
Departments, relating to the present state of the economy.
The Government would be greatly assisted in these by having as
background the material, supplied to it by the organisations which
had participated in its discussions today.
The Government will be meeting representatives
of the Australian Council of Trade Unions on Thursday,
March. CANBERRA, 1st March, 1966