PM Transcripts

P. M. No0)., 4L96
VICTORIAN BUSHFIREJS
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Pt. Hon. R. G. Menzies
The Commonwealth Government has made available to the
Victorian authorities the services of the Army, Navy and A -4ir
Force to assist in any wi~ ay they can in the fight against bushfires
in Victoria. Yesterday the Treasurer Mvr. Holt, on behalf of the
Commonwealth Government informed the Victorian Government of the
Commonwealth's concern and its anxiety to help.
Late last night the Deputy Premier of Victoria Mr. Rylah,
sent the following message to the Prime Minister's Department in
Canberra: " 1MR. RYIJLAH THE DEPUTY PR.* MI;.] 2-L THANKS THE PRIME~
1INISTZc FOR Hi OFF& C-R OF A2S SISTANcCE ' OR BUSH FIRE Ri! LIEF.
iNR . RYLJAH ASTK\' S THAi2 NBCESS: INSTRUCTIONS BE IoSUED TO THE
THREEE DEFE~ NCE SEiRVICES ARMY, NAVY and AIR FORCE TO ENABLE
THEM TO GIVE ASSISTANCE :. EQUIRZD F6R 1SJSH " 112 PU1APOSES ' ON
TH11E REQUEST XZZE BY THE CHI-. 2F CO1, IvIVIISI OF POLICE,
VICTORIA". I ha: e this morning despatched to the Victorian Premier,
Mr. Bolte, a teleg; ram in the following terms:
" YES T1ER.:; DAL MlY COLLEAGUE THE T', i ASURER ON MY BEHTLALF
CON TEYED TO0 YOUR GOV-; xNMENT ' THE CONC. , RN FELT .3Y MY
GOVERNMiENT A RISING FROM YOUR DISAS0' TROUS HUSH Y~ IRE EXPERiENCE
IN JICTORIA. HE EXPRESSED OUR SYMPATHY FOR ' THOSE ',, JHO HAVE
SUFF R. LD 3ERFEAVaMENT, LOSS OF THEIR HOMES OR DAMAG'E IN OTHER
AYS. HE INDICATED OUR ADINE~ ioS TO DISCUSS APPROPRIATELY
, jI! TH YOUR GOVERNM:% VENT ANY PROPOSALS YOU MAY BRING FOR lARD FOR
4IEF OF D. A1MAGE AND HI. RDSHIP. LATE LAST NIGHT THE
FI. DANG% i "-PPEARED MvORE JIDESPREAD ANTD INCE1ASINGLY
THREATENING WvE Iiv2/ 1EDIATELY . iGlcEED 1O . A R. 1QUEST FROM YOUR
COLLEAGUE TliE, CHIEF SECI , TARY THAT YOUR GOV.' ERN] ivENT BE GIVEN
FULL -UHORITY IN THE j-MErGENCY TO AEqUISITION ITS NEEDS FROM
COI~ hONW-*-L ALTH SERVICES iIND I'GENCIES. IJE AiE RELIEiVED TO
LEARN THAT HEAVY RAI N 2HIS MORNING HAS -i'ASED T-r. E POSITION AT
LEAST 113: MPORARILY, NO DOUBT THE. LZ 4IL. BE A V R IETY OF
MATTIL3 CO " NECTED 4ITH SA'FETY A ND R~ ZHABILITATION IN .4HICH YOU
W1ILL 6TILL 3E SEEKING SOME COILf4OLAL TH ASSISTANCE AND
CO-OPE'LTION. SO THAT' THESE CAN BE PLOMPTLY A'ND EFFECTIVELY
. DEALT lI TH I HAVE ARRANGED FOR THE ivINISTER'-FOR NA~ VY SENAT OR
GORTON TO ACT ASACO-ORDINATING REPRESENTA* 1TIVE OF MY
GOVE-1RNMrENT" 1
CAiN BE RR A,
17th January, 1962.