ASIAN TOUR 1967
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS BY THE PRIME MINISTER,
MR. H AROLD HOLT, AT MASCOT AIRPORT, SYDNEY APRIL, 1967
Tony Eggleton has explained that I feel my first respcosibility,
so far as any detailed report is concerned, is to make my report to the
Parliament. I have given an assurance that If Parliament is in session, it
should be the first to hear matters of substantial political importance, but I
am able, I feel, to m~ ake some broad comments to you, and-hope this will be
of some assistance in the task you have.
First, I would say that this has been one of the most
rewarding and valuable official journeys I can ever recall having made. It
exceeded my best expectations in meeting the purposes for which I set out.
I don't really think it could have gone better from my point of view or, for
that matter, from Australia's point of view.
Tisl was, in the case of each of the four countries visited,
the first time an Australian Prime Minister had been there. This fact was
very much appreciated. You will have gathered from the press accounts that
wherever we went we were greeted with not only friendliness but a warmth of
friendliness which was very gratifying and encouraging. Those who had feared
that our foreign policies might have antagonised the countries of Asia, I think,
would have taken some comfort from what we encountered.
I didn't, in any country visited, experience a hostile banner,
a hostile voice, a sour look, whether at the official level or amongst the
people we met or those we saw as we moved about the cities and the countryside.
So I think it can be quite confidently accepted that there is a wealth of
friendliness for Australia in that area of the world.
It became clear to me that Australia had become accepted
as a member of the Asian and Pacific community, that we were not on the
outside looking in. We were regarded as one of the countries of the area
involved in its problems and, at the same time, able to make our own useful
contribution to it. The Press tell me that they were very well received wherever
they went. It was a mark of the warmth of friendliness which Cambodia, and
Prince Sihanouk In particular, feels towards Australia in that the press were
allowed to enter there in that substantial body which accompanied me. There
is an official policy denying entry to Cambodia for journalists from countries
which are held to pursue differing polcies in respect of Viet Nam, but our
pressmen were made welcome. They attended official functions hosted by
the Head of Government, the Head of State and they tell me that wherever they
went they were particularly well received.
As far as every area of governmental Interest economic,
political and security is concerned I am sure this visit has contributed
very valuably to Australian purposes in all these directions. One of the
discoveries for me and there were many discoveries on this journey was
the strength of South Korea, the extraordinary industrial growth there, the
bright trade prospects they see with Australia.
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This was true also of Taiwan. Both these countries have
very high economic growth rates; both see a rapidly-growing trade with
Australia. Both, for example, intend to set up an iron and steel lu1dustry,
and will be looking to Australia for the iron ore required by these industries.
However, I won't go into too much detail on those matters because I shall
be elaborating on them in Parliament.
I tri ad to project an Australian attitude of fairness and
friendliness, but the views we put we hold to firmly. I expressed them
forthrightly and with frankness but in a spirit of friendliness and they were
well received in that spirit wherever we went.
I am sure that my own knowledge of the countries visited,
and that of the official party which accompanied me has been greatly
improved. We have a deeper understanding, a more realistic understanding
of the problems of the countries concerned. It was an educational tour
in a sense. That education has led to a better knowledge; the better
knowledge has produced a deeper understanding, and out of that understanding
there has developed a warmer and more enduring friendship for us.
So altogether I feel that the journey has been very well
worthwhile and that Australian interests have been promoted as a
consequence of it. Thank you.