PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS 66/ 077
P. M No. 47/ 1966
AUSTRALIAN DELEGATION TO THE SIXTH V. ORLD FORESTRY
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt
The Prime Minister, Mr. iarold Holt, announced
today that the Minister for National Development, Mr. David
Fairb& irn, who is Chairman of the Australian Forestry Council,
would lead the Australian Delegation to the Sixth W'orld Forestry
Congress which will open in Madrid on 6th JTune, 1966. Mr.
Fairbairn is to leave today, 29th May.
The Sixth U. I'orld Forestry Congress, sponsored by the
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, will be
attended by the Ministers responsible for forestry, leading
foresters, and representatives of the forest industries from all
over the world. The Australian delegation will include at least
one State Minister of Forests, senior officials from the Commonwealth
State Forest Services and from the CSIRO Division of Forest
Products, delegates representing the Australian forest industries,
and university representatives.
The Sixth Congress, the theme of which is to be " The
Role of Forestry in the Changing Uorld Economy", will discuss
subjects covering the whole field of forestry including all aspects
of forest production and the use of forests for protection of
water catchments, the control of soil erosion, wild life sanctuaries
and recreational purposes. Australia is a substantial user of
forest products and while expansion of afforestation is proceeding,
we are currently importing forest products to a value of 200M.
per annum. The Prime Minister also stated that whilst overseas
Mr. Fairbairn will visit Great Britain to discuss other matters
connected with his portfolio. In particular he will talk with the
Minister of Power about offshore drilling and legislation in
Britain concerned with oil and gas search. He will also have
discussions about developments in the atomic energy field and
about iron ore. Mr. Fairbairn is expected to return to Australia
about 11th July. During his absence, the Minister for Labour
and National Service, Mr. Bury, will act as Minister for National
Development. CANBERRA, 29th May, 1966