PM Transcripts

Transcripts from the Prime Ministers of Australia

Menzies, Robert

Period of Service: 19/12/1949 - 26/01/1966
Release Date:
27/08/1961
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
358
Document:
00000358.pdf 1 Page(s)
Released by:
  • Menzies, Sir Robert Gordon
P.M.NO. 43/1961 - LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK FOR THE PORT PIRIE - COCKBURN LINE STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER THE RT. HON. R.G MENZIES

61/ 053
P. M4 , o 3/ 1961
LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING 3TOCK FOR THE
PORT PiRIE-COCKBURN LINE
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies
The Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, announced that he
had written to the Premier of South Australia, Sir Thomas
Playford, to inform him that the Commonwealth was willing to
provide South Australia with finance not exceeding
œ 1,325,000 for the purchase by the State of twelve ' 9001 h. p.
Diesel-Electric Locomotives, and one hundred 55-Ton capacity
cre waggons for operation on the existing Port Pirie-Cockbun
line. This offer is on the basis that the State shall repay in
full to the Commonwealth over a period of 50 years, 30o of
the expenditure incurred by the State for this purpose,
together with interest at the long term bond rate.
Mr. Menzies stated that he had made it cleaTr
conveying this offer of Commonwealth assistance that i wou.-i.
be quite separate from assistance under the 1949 Standardisation
Agreement. However, in making the offer, the Commonwealth
recognised that new and efficient locomotives and rolling
stock, which would be capable of conversion to standard gauge
operation, would be most advantageous on standardisation of
the line.
CANBERRA, 27th August, 1961.

358