PM Transcripts

P. M. No. 23L1961
EXPANSION OF BEEF PRODUCTION FOR EXPORT
Statement by the PFlime Minister, the Rt. Hon, R. G. MenzIes
The Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, announced today that
the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments have agreed that
construction of a road from Julia Creek to Normanton should
form part of a broad plan for development of roads to
facilitate increased export of beef from the North. To
facilitate early commencement of the work on the road the
Commonwealth has offered to contribute up to œ 650,000 towards
expenditure on this road to the end of the financial year
1961/ 62. The two Governments will consider the basis upon
which the cost of a wider scheme of road development might be
shared when the planning has further advanced.
The Prime Minister added that he had replied to a
letter from Mr. Nicklin in which the request had been made that
officers c. f t20e Commonwealth Government confer with officers of
the Queensland Government with a view to exploring various
aspects of the question of expanding beef production in
Queensland. Mr. Menzies said he had told Mr. Nicklin the
Commonwealth Government is very interested in expansion of beef
production which could lead to increased export earnings, and
has decided to appoint a committee of officers which could
provide it with a more complete picture of the likely extent of
the market for beef and possible means of securing an expansion
of beef cattle production. These investigations will be part
of the comprehensive examination being undertaken by the
Government of avenues for increased export earnings.
Mr. Menzies said that arrangements would be made for
this committee to confer with officers of the Queensland
Government so that both Governments could study information
provided from their talks together. CANB MA y
lday, 1961