dUTll ; LUkI; ñ ON AT 1EDT-L ILLILY,
TOWPSVILLL, QUEE. NSLAlJ 29TH JULY__ 1966
Speech by the Prime Minister. Mr Harold Holt.
M'r iayor, . Mr Premier, Ministerial and Parliamentary
Colleagues, Chief of the General Staff, Miss De Lacy and Gentlemen,
This is a very happy thought on the part of the
1' ayor, a very generous and hospitable thougft, to have so
representative a gathering of the To. insville strength, plus the
r. any visitors who have coie here for these two functions, at this
pleasant luncheon gathering here today, and I do appreciate your
kindness, Ir Mayor, in arranging this.
It is a notable occasion, as you rightly stress.
For me, a very happy one, because we do sincerely believe in this
cause of northern development, and to see manifestations in these
two practical achievements of a strengthoning on the academic
side with the first university in the northern part of Australia
in a tropical area of Australia, and the launching of a great new
military establishment, itself the outstanding establishment of
its kind in a tropical area, this is a double which many municipalities,
11r Mayor, or the rural areas would certainly welcome if that
good fortune came their way.
I am sorry to learn that it has brought with it
some of the problems of groi. ing pains to which you have rmde
reference. At the thrce layers of government Federal, State and
Municipal government we are all in severe financial straits.
Now this doesn't add up very happily for the taxpayer, but I may
comfort the taxpayer by saying that we have reached a point with
some of our taxes that as we increase the tax we get less money
back by way of revenue, so vie don't get much encouragement to
tax you more heavily when that is the way you respond to our
treatment. But I can assure you, Mr Miyor, that the Premier has
already told me today of the difficulties of his own State and of
one of its most important industries. I have had from the Premier
of Victoria and the Promier of Now, South ales signals of distress.
My colleaguos know of the vonics we went through a week or so back
as we prepared our own Budget details, so I think we will have to
go on praying for rain and the increased revenues that come from
good seasons. Droughts still mean much to us in the loss of
revenue, in the loss of carriage of goods by railways and the
other con: Lercial activities associated with them which affect the
budgets of governments. Althou h we weathered the effects of this
last, or current, drought remarkably ' well, I think in an earlier
period of Australian history it would have meant economic disaster.
It has nevertheless taken its toll on the economy, and we have
felt some discomfiture from it.
But don't let us dwell on that rather gloomier aspect
of our affairs on a day when we are able to point to developments
of a constructive and positive kind in the life of this comraunity.
Townsville is a very remarkable city. I think there can be few
in the Commonwealth and, indeed, few in the world which can claim
greater diversity of a. ctivity and of interest. You have got your
rural wealth and activity, the cattle, the sugar, the mineral wealth
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that proceeds from your lead, zinc, copper and matters of that
sort. You have a tourist potential second to none I don't
know any resort around the world that can so consistently live
up to labels as Tonsville can. I have visited several of them,
and for consistency of sunny vieather and pleasant climate and
this accessibility to reef islands and the fishing ñ n the area
these things help to mark this city out above almost any other
that could be mentioned. I regret to have to report one serious piece of
disillusionment. Arising out of this luncheon here today, I
was relishing, as no doubt several of you were, these deli. ghtful
fish sticks that we have been eating for lunch and I was asking
which particular reef fish this was, only to be told that those
wore imported fish sticksl Now, I think you've got to do
something about that Mr Mayor. We claim that we have fish
beyond number in the waters of the reef and it seems a
contradiction in terrs that that beautiful fish we relish so
much and that I pursue so actively has to be replaced by imported
articles eating into the trade balances of this country.
Well, Mr hyor, you have a bright prospect ahead
for this city. It is in a sense the capital of the north of
Australia. It will go on from strength to strength. It will
have a much more richly diversified com~ unity activity because
the academic society of the university makes its own contribution
to a more richly fulfilled life, and at the same time, the lively,
young; er, vigorous members of the Services the Air Force and the
Army stationed here they, with that little bit of military pomp
and circumstance, will add something to the diversification and
enjoyent of life in a community such as this.
I hope to be able to come back year by year
because I am sure that year by year, Townsville will become an
increasingly attractive place to visit, and an increasingly
enjoyable place in which to live and attend to one's affairs.
You have a prosperous future ahead of you, and quite obviously
you have in the imaking of a great northern city a cause for which
you and your fellow councillors can labour with enthusiasm in
the years ahead. Our best wishes to you. You will be receiving such
co-operation as Comronwealth and State Governments can give to you.
There will be various points, particularly in relation to the
university and the Service establishments at which you will be in
direct contact ' with the Como. onwealth Governmont. I hope we treat
you kindly. If you feel we do not, then I give you direct access
to the person of the Prime iinister.
So, Gentlemen, this happy occasion has been made
possible by the Lhyor and his colleagues. We thank them and hope
that under their leadership, this will be a city of which all
Australia can be truly proud.