~ 14
PRIME MINISTERI
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA AT THE OFFICIAL
DINNER IN HIS HONOUR HOSTED BY PRESIDENT FORD 27 JULY 1976
Mr President, thank you for your invitation to join
you on this occasion, for your generous hospitality and for
the opportunity it has given us to see America celebrating her
Bicentennial. We were delighted to have your Vice-President and
his wife in Australia a short while ago. During his visit we
reaffirmed the friendship that has long existed between our
p) eoples. I would like to say, Mr President, that your Vice-
President was a warm and gifted Ambassador for your country,
and the discussions we had were constructive and useful.
Earlier this year we were also delighted to welcome
Mrs Kissinger. I would also like to express our appreciation
to Secretary Kissinger for making himself so frequently
available for discussions between my Foreign Minister and
himself. 0 Australians probably have more cause to celebrate
the Bicentennial with you than any other country. If it had
not been for your successful War of Independence against the
British, it is most unlikely that the British would have
settled Australia when they did.
I know I speak for the many Australians here when
I say how pleased we have been to make some contribution to
your Bicentennial celebrations. Amongst the many different
contributions that were made I would like to mention the
Australian Ballet. I hope that those of you who saw their
performance enjoyed it.
Mr President,, we did have cause to be grateful to
the United States even in the early days0 There are many
who think that our nation's beef trade is a recent development.
But in 1792 the struggling Colony of Port Jackson received an
important shipment from the American ship ' Philadelphia'. The
voyage took nine months so by the time it arrived the cargo of
barrels of American beef was well cured. Our local crops had
not been very successful and your beef was greeted enthusiastically.
It is a shipment we are prepared to return a thousand-fold. o
Mr President, Australia, and America have many
things-i ri commoni our : rroni ter experience atid the Cact
that we atc b) oth migrant nations. We both valute our
ifl( I C pendei'' 0Cc and oi demo c rant ic inst ituti ons~, oiir-ide'' al . s
of' freedlom and] oppor-tunity.
Our histories have taught us both that we have
our freedom not as of right, but only so long as we remain
vigilant and resourceful. I know that in support of our
ideals we will work together in the future as we have in
the past,. In our countries the State is regarded as the
servant of the people. In other countries these values
are set aside the State is paramount. Such differences
have often led to conflict. The great challenge of the
next twenty five years will be whether or not countries
with differing social systems can learn to live together,
and resolve their international differences by negotiation.
In the uncertain world which faces us the need
for co-operation is strong,. This is especially so bccause
over recent years there has been criticism where there
should have been understanding.
We are aware that there has been vigorous debate
within the United States on your world role. We believe
that out of such debate emerges a stronger and a freer
nation one more able to provide the leadership the world
requires. We appreciate the manner in which the United States
has persisted. In future years the resolution of the American
people is going to be more important for securing the peace of
the world than it has ever been.
That is by no means to suggest that countries such
as mine do not have responsibilities. Whatever others may
feel, no Australian assumes that we are entitled to a free
ride, that your efforts are a reason why we should be
complacent or negligent about our responsibilities. It is
merely recognition that as the world's greatest free power,
there are many things that only the United States can do.
If the United States does not do them they will remain undone,.
Others may contribute, but your strength is indispensable in
supporting the diplomacy and negotiation essential for the
building of peace. The fact that your nation attracts
criticism in its international role is much less important
than the fact that the task is done,. * oo/ 3
Mr President, over the last two hundred years
there haive been many revolutions, But whatever some other
ideol ogic. may claim for thelir revol. ulioin, youtr. s is
distinguished by its unequalled democratic character, by
its purpose and by its morality,
The ideas contained in the Declaration of
Independence still stir the hearts of men and women around
the world. We can find in that Declaration the philosophy
of the best social reforms that have taken place in the
years since. Mr President, we know the great responsibility
that rests on democratic leadership. That is one of the
reasons why meeting the demands of the Office you hold
must be the most difficult but at the same time the most
rewarding task in the world.
Your country, Mr President, has made an immeasurable
contribution to world peace, and to the ideal of liberty,
There has never been a time when support of these ideals
has required more dedication, more firmness, more persistence
than now, My wife and I are honoured to be here and I ask
you now to rise and drink the toast:
The President of the United States'.