ASIAN TOUR 1967
DEP. ARTURE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. HAROLD
HOLT FROM MASCOT AIRPORT, SYDNEY 28TH MARCH, 1967
Before departing on his tour of Asia, the Prime Minister made the following
comments to the Press in response to questions
Q. What do you expect to come out of this trip, Sir?
PM: There are s everal valuable purposes, as I see them. First, this
is an area of great strategic significance for Australia. We have been
involved militarily at least four times in the last 25 years in this
area, but my visit isn't primarily concerned with matters of security.
I merely mention that because it reveals how important the area
strategically is to Australia. Secondly, Australia is becoming
increasingly involved in the trading possibilities in the area. Our trade
with Japan, of course, has built up dramatically, and I think this is*
only a pointer to what we can expect to come in the years ahead,
If we cultivate out opportunities skilfully and successfully.
Thirdly, quite obviously in this area, Australia has the possibility
of making and should be making a diplomatic contribution. There
are agencies now developing ASPAC, the Asian Development Bank,
such meetings as the Manila Conference, SEATO, some of them for,
security reasons, others for trade reasons, some for economic
development. I want my visit to emphasise to the people in that area
that Australia is conscious of its own increasing involvement in the
problems and possibilities of the area, and I think it useful Witb all
the reporting that you people are able to do on these matters so well
for Austral ians to know how important and significant these countries
have become for us.
Q. Mr. Prime Minister, will you be discussing the Viet Nam war
in all these places you are calling at?
PM: Oh, I wouldn't expect so. I haven't got any specific negotiations
or treaty arrangements or conference proposals or anything of that
sort. No, it is an opportunity to get to know better people and
countries that are closely neighbouring to Australia and to have them
get to know Australia better.
Q. Is it possible that our aid to these countries might be increased
as a result of this visit?
PM:-Well, our aid curve has been a rising one but I would not want to
give any impression that I see any substantial enlar gement of what
we are already doing. Australia per capita ranks high among the
aid-giving countries of the world. / 2
-2
Q. Will there be any chances for talks on Asian migrants for
Aus trali a?
PM: Well, you know, over recent years there has been a
considerable liberalisation of our policy there. In the years since the
Second World War, some 30, 000 people have come into Australia
who would not have been admissible under the policies that oa'tained
earlier. More than 6, 000 have been naturalised under revised
arrangements in quite recent years. We have got the best part of
12, 000 students from Asia in our universities and colleges. So
there has been, I think, a sensible liberalisation of the arrangements
which previously existed.
Q. Will there be further liberalisation?
PM: Well, I am not wanting to be specific on that. That is a matter
of Government policy, which I wouldn't be in a position to develop here
today. Thank you.