FOR PRESS P. M. No 33/ 1970
PREMIERS' CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 1970
COMMONWEALTH'S OFFER NEW FINANCIAL AGREEMENT
The Commonwealth today offered the States new bases for
improving State revenues in a new financial agreement.
The Commonwealth agreed in principle that there should be an
increase in the basic amount of money on which increases in State revenue
grants are calculated and offered to discuss this with the States. The
Commonwealth however, rejected the proposal that the rate of growth should
be tied to the rate of growth of income tax collections.

70/ 12.
FOR PRESS: PM. No. 32/ 1970
ANU PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Comment by the Prime Minister, Mr John Gorton
Mr Duval's gift to the Australian National
University is a generous and heartening gesture. The Performing
Arts Centre will provide a valuable opportunity for students to broaden
the cultural base of their studies.
In recent years the Commonwealth Government has
greatly increased its support of all branches of the arts, It is pleasing
to find private citizens prepared to make substantial contributions

70/ 31
FOR PRESS: 31/ 1970
PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT
At the request of the Prime Minister, His
Excellency the Governor-General has signed a
Proclamation proroguing Parliament until Tuesday, 3
March, 1970, and summoning the Parliament to assemble
at 3.00 p. m. on that day.
CANBERRA 23 February 1970
BACKGROUND NOTE
When Parliament met on 25 November 1969, the
Governor-General stated in his Speech that the
Government intended to seek the prorogation of the
Parliament and to call it together as soon as possible
in the new year.

FOR PRESS: PM No. 30/ 1970
SIGNING OF NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Cabinet this morning gave full consideration to
the question of whether Australia should sign the Nuclear Non'-
Proliferation Treaty. We have decided that it would be in Australia's
interests to sign but with reservations. Signature will enable
us to join with other like-minded signatories,, such as West
Germany and Japan to achieve those interpretations, assurances,
and qualifications which we regard as important.

FOR PRESS PM No. 29/ 1970
APPOINTMENTS TO COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
The Prime Minister, Mr. Gorton, today announced
appointments to fill two vacancies on the Australian Council
for the Arts. Mr. H. R. Bonython, of Adelaide, well known for
his interest in the visual arts and in music, will replace
Mr. G. Dutton, who has resigned from the Council for
personal reasons. Mr. T. C. Bray, of Brisbane, formerly Editor-in-
Chief of the Brisbane " Courier Mail", succeeds Dr. K. Langer,
who died last year.
CANBERRA 16 February 1970
Biographical Notes:-

FOR PRESS: PM No. 28/ 1970
TALKS WITH TASMANIAN PREMIER
The Premier of Tasmania, Mr. Bethune, today
discussed with the Prime Minister proposals for port
development on King Island, and the best method of maintaining
adequate shipping services to King Island.
It was agreed that further study should be made by
the two Governments into the Premier's proposals.
The Premier also presented facts on the difficulties
facing the State as a result of frost damage in the Huon Valley,
and the Prime Minister agreed to pass the facts presented to

QPE" ING OF THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AT
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE,
WAVERLEY, N. S. W, FEBRUARY 1970
Speech by the. Prime Minister, Mr John Gorton
Mr Chairman, Your Grace, Parliamentary Colleagues both Federal and
State, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
May I thank you for the warmth of your welcome and thank you
in particular, Brother Simmons, for what you had to say and tell you that I regard
this occasion to be an honour for me and one which gives me great satisfaction.
I regard it as an honour because I have been asked to be associated

FOR PRESS PM No. 27/ 1970
MR WILFRED BURCHETT lI9
The Prime Minister, Mr John Gorton, today 4
received the following telegram from Mr Frank Galbally
" RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU ALLOW
WILFRED BURCHETT TEMPORARY ENTRY TO
AUSTRALIA TO ATTEND RECENTLY DECEASED
BROTHER'S MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY. FULL
PARTICULARS TELEPHONED TO YOUR SECRETARY'S
OFFICE." Mr Gorton replied as follows
" I ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR TELEGRAM OF
TODAY'S DATE CONCERNING WILFRED BURCHETT.
AS YOU KNOW CABINET HAS DECIDED THAT THE
GOVERNMENT WILL DO NOTHING EITHER TO GRANT

FOR PRESS: PM. NO. 26/ 1970
RUMOURS ABOUIT PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL 1
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
It is necessary to dispose of some of the wild stories and
mistaken rumours which are circulating concerning the proposed
Industrial Development Corporation.
An official, detailed statement will be made at the
appropriate time by the Government, and prior to that any
observations on the details of the proposal can be nothing but
speculation. However, there are certain matters which should be

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
N. S. W. DIVISION ANNUAL DINNER
Sydney, N. S. W. t
Presentation of John Storey award to Mr. W. W. Pettingell
Speech by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
FEBRUARY 1970
Mr. President, Mr. Pettingell, Ladies and Gentlemen:
One of the great pleasures for me tonight, and I am
sure one of the great pleasures for you, is that before I came
it was stipulated that I had not come in order to make a speech
or to leave a message with you, but merely to appear on an