PM Transcripts

FOR PR F. No. 11/ 1967
CLCSINc-C? EXPO C7
Ctatement by the Frime i./ inister, Mr. Harold -cit
Three and a half million people had visited the Australian
Favilion at Expo 67 when the E: position closed at the weekend.
The Australian Favilion had been open since April as part of
the international Exposition arranged by Canada to mark its Centennial
of Confederation. The number of visitors was more than 5C( 1 greater than the
most ortimistic estimates of the -lanners and the Favilion itself received
very high ratings from commentators and critics.
Cn Australia's special day at Expo 67 in June millions of people
around the world saw the special programme televised through the satellite
Telstar in outer space.
The Australian Government has offered the A utralian Favilion
building as a gift to the people of 3anada and discussions on its use are
in progress with the City of iMontreal.
The 2C kangaroos and 13 wallabies, which because of quarantine
regulations, cannot be returned to ustralia are being donated to six zoos
on the North American continent.
The coral exhibits are being given to the Montreal Aquarium.
Several enquiries have been received by the Commonwealth
Government about the popular talking chairs and plans for their future use
are being considered. I have sent the following" message to the Commissioner-General,
Sir Valston '-ancock:-
" The great Exposition commemorating the Centennial of Canadian
Confederation is now over. It has been a notable success and you
have all played your part wonderfully well. You have good cause
to be proud of the succecs of the Montreal Exrposition and particularly
of the Australian Favilion.
Many tributes to our Favilion and staff have reached Australia and
have given pleasure to the Government and your fellow countrymen.
During my visit last June I found myself delighted with the effectiveness
with which Australia's image was being presented.
Now that your work Ic done, we look forward to having you all at
home again.
I send my own warm s: ersonal appreciation and thanks to you all
for your efforts. T wcl! d to add a tape to those now famous
talking chairs in which you cculd relax a while after your labours
and hear them recite, ' Australia sends grateful thanks. V! ell done'."
HARCL. F-CLT
Frime MI'nicter.
CA NBERRA.., 1
3Ct Cc ' 1-r j