STRICT EMBARGO: 0600:
17 November 1977
FOR PRESS 17 NOVEMBER 1977
AWARD OF G. C. M. G. TO SIR ZELMAN COWEN
The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, announced today that
Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the
elevation of Sir Zelman Cowen to the First Class, Knight
Grand Cross in-the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.

Embargoed until 9.30 p. m.
I PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 17 NOVEMBER 1977
A~ DDRESS AT MORGAN GUARANTY D2NtNER,,. EbUOMMNE
I heard an overseas visitor the other day describe Australia as
a land of opportunities a country which North Americans arnd
Europeans regard as one of the few still having the potential to
offer the excitement and adventure that goes with new development,
and the potential to challenge and to extend the horizons of its
people. I f ound it encouraging that overseas visitors should once

EMBARGO: 3.00 p. m.
PRWME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 16 NOVEMBER 1977
PUBLIC SERVICE TRANSFERS TO CANBERRA
The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, announced today that the
Commonwealth Government intended transferring approximately
500 Public Service and Defence Service positions from Melbourne
to Canberra in 1978/ 79, and transferring further contingents
total~ ling about 500 positions in the two subsequent years.
In adaition, the Government has approved the pennanent location
in Canberra of the Human Rights-Commission, the Commonwealth

, AUSTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 14. NOVEMBER 1977
GARRAN ORATION
The Garran Oration honours the name of a most distinguished
Australian. As Constitutional Lawyer and civil servant Sir Robert
Garran was pre-eminent. His concern for Australia's law and
Government was manifest throughout his long career. As
Permanent Head of the Attorney General's Department he served
with great distinction under no less than sixteen Governments
between 1901 and 1932, and his personal influence continued

FOR PRESS .14 NOVEMBER 1977
PRESENTATION OF TRACTOR TO. VICE-CHAIRMAN ULANFU. OF PRC
The Prime Minister today announced the gift of a Massey
Ferguson four-wheel drive articulated tractor, together with
plough and scarifier attachments, to Vice-Chairman Ulanfu.
The gift is intended as a memento of the Vice-Chairman's
recent visit to Australia, during w-. hich he took a particular
interest in seeing Australian agricultural and pastoral
industries at first hand.
In making the gift, the Prime Minister expressed the hope

F 77/ 256
FOR PRESS 13 NOVEMBER 1977
JOINT COMMONWEALTH-STATE REVIEW OF THE ORD RIVER IRRIGATION AREA
The Prime Minis-ter and the Premier of Western Australia announced
today that a joint Commonwealth-State Review is to be established
to report to both Governments on the future development of the
Ord River Irrigation Area.
The proposed Review has been the subject of discussion and
correspondence between the Prime Minister and the Premier for some
months,, and its purpose is to assist the Governments in considering

F 77/ 255
FOR PRESS13 NOVEMBER 1977
QUEENSLAND STATE ELECTIONS
The Queensland Government, under the leadership of Mr. Joh
Bjelke-Petersen, is to be congratulated on winning with a
substantial majority its eighth consecutive election.
It is relevant to note that the total coalition vote seems
to be in the vicinity ot-52 per cent.
The Labor Party defeat in 1974 was particularly devastating
with only 36 per cent of the vote. Apart from that occasion,
this appears to be the most overwhelming victory the

Embargoed until 7.00 p. m. F 77/ 254
FOR PRESS 13 NOVEMBER 1977
ELECTORATE TALK
As a result of its achievement in beating inflation, the
Government last week took another step towards restoring
economic activity and raising employment.
On Friday, the interest rate for Australian Savings Bonds was
cut by a half per cent to 9.25 per cent.
During September and October there was a reduction in yields in
Commonwealth Bonds ranging up to more than a half per cent.
It has now affected long and short term bonds and Savings Bonds.

F 77/ 253
-1 UTHALIA&
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 13 NOVEMBER 1977
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
The World Wildlife Fund is expected to extend its activities
to Australia next year. An Australian World Wildlife Fund will
be organised and run by Australians, and the funds raised will
largely be spent on Australian projects.
The World Wildlife Fund ( WWF) is an international body based in
Switzerland whose objective is to help to conserve the world's
natural heritage, especially threatened habitat and wildlife

Aib' ~ 1A! A1IA
F-* flw PRM^ E J'ANISTER
FOR PRESS . U NOVEMBRR 1977
COMMONWEALTH TO AID MT. LYELL
The Commonwealth Government will meet almost all the cost of
interim assistance to keep the Mt. Lyell copper mine going at
Queenstown on the west coast of Tasmania.
The decision was made today after the Tasmanian Premier,
Mr. Neilson, told the Minister for Employment and Industrial
Relations, Mr. Street, and the Minister for Business and Consumexr
Affairs, Mr. Fife, that Tasmania was not prepared to continue to