PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: FP. M. No. 63/ 1967
SENATOR GORTON TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA AT
CORONATION OF KING OF TONGA.
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister, Mr. John McEwen
The Acting Prime Minister, Mr. J. McEwen, announced
today that the Australian Representative at the Coronation of the
King of Tonga on 4th July, 1967, would be Senator J. G. Gorton,
Minister for Education and Science. He will be accompanied by
Mrs. Gorton. The Coronation is to be attended by the Duke and Duchess
of Kent as Representatives of Queen Elizabeth, by the Governor
of Hawaii on behalf of the United States, and by other senior
dignitories of countries associated with the Pacific Islands.
The King of Tonga, His Majesty Taufa'ahau Toupou IV, K. B. E.,
succeeded to the throne on 15th December, 1965. His mother,
Queen Salote, ruled Tonga for 47 years. King Taufa'ahau Toupou
was born in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, on 4th July, 1918. He was
educated at Newington College, Sydney and at Sydney University.
He was Premier of Tonga from 1949 to 1966.
The Australian Commissioner in Fiji, Mr. R. N. Birbh, and
his wife will also attend the Tongan Coronation. In addition
H. M. A. S. " Anzac" will pay an official visit to Fiji during the
main part of the Coronation celebrations.
The Acting Prime Minister said that the Coronation would
be a memorable event in the history, traditions and ceremonies
of the South PacifiC. The Australian Government and people took
a keen and sympathetic interest in the progress of Tonga and
wished the King a long and illustrious reign.
CANBERRA. 21st June, 1967.