EMBARGO 7. 30 pm, Monday, 25 January 1971
THE COMMONWEALTH CONFERENCE
Interview givenby the Prime Minister, Mr. . JP Gorton
for ABC Television on his return from the Singapore Conference januaryj191I
Interviewer. Robert Moore
Q. Prime Minister, it seems that most of the reports that have come out on,
the Conference have been gloomy rather than optimistic. People have suggested
that it was a waste of time, if not something worse. Do you feel, as you loo~ k
back on it, that the Commonwealth has come out stronger than it went into
the Conference?

Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference 1971
" COIV'. OiPWLALTH IN T11-1' 7' EVE3' TrIES AND CoMIIYoir'JEALTH DECLARATIOil
õ p4eech by~ the Prime Minister,. Mr. John Gorton
Before I actually discuss the Commonwealth in the Seventies and President
Kaunda's Declaration which is intimately bound up with the Commonwealth in the
Seventies, there is one thing which I think it is rather appropriate to say.
I think it was Mr. Forbes Burnham who in his set speech earlier in this
conference jokingly remarked on whether Great Britain went by the name of Britain

SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER AT THEB
AUSTRKE 9NEGRWN99-T
IN SINGAPORE 18 JANUARY 1971
Members of the Australian Alumni:
I found the introductory speech absolutely full of interest. I listened
with great attention to the suggestion that there should be much more Australian
investment in Singapore.
But you know there is Australian investment here. I think I have heard
of the Hume Pipe Company. Perhaps, Sir, your remarks which I have taken note
of might also be directed to a number of investors in Singapore, because there

FOR PRESS: PM No.. 4/ 1971
AUSTRALIAN RELIEF ASSISTANCE FOR MALAYSIA
The Prime Minister of Australia Mr. John Gorton, announced today
that equipment to the value of $ A90, 000 ($ M306, 000) would be provided by
Australia as relief assistance to Malaysia for reconstructioni following the
recent disastrous floods.
Mr. Gorton said the equipment would be in the form of two 100-foot
prefabricated transportable steel Bailey bridges which would be used to help
restore communications in the flooded areas.

FOR PRESS: PMI No. 3/ 1971
COMMWONWEALTH PRIME MINISTERS' CONFERENCE
Statemen~ y the Prime Minister of Australia,. Mr. John Gorton
It is significant that the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference
of the seventies is taking place in South-East Asia.
As the first Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting ever held in this part
of the world, it should lead to a better understanding of the problems and aspirationis
of those Commonwealth members who live in the Asian and Pacific regions.

FOR PRESS: 2
PL'. No. / K1971
ECONOM IC CONSULTAT IONS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Invitations have been extended for the next series of
economic consultations between Ministers and representative' of
national organisations, to be held in Canberra in February.
On 10 February Ministers will meet national organisations
in three groups primary industry, manufacturing industry ai-. d
commerce. On 11 February representatives of the Export
Development Council, the Manufacturing Industries Advisory Council

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 1/ 1971
FLOODS IN MALAYSIA
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, today sent the
following message to the Prime Minis ter of Malaysia who has
declared a state of national emergency because of the damage
and loss of life resulting from extmensive flooding by heavy
monsoonal rains
" I HAVE READ WITH DISTRESS AND CONCERN REPORTS
COMING IN OF THE DISASTROUS FLOODS IN MALAYSIA, AND
OF THE LOSS OF LIFE AND DAMAGE WHICH YOU HAVE
ALREADY SUFFERED.
YOU MAY COUNT ON OUR DOING WHAT WE CAN

FOR PRESS: PnM No. 125 ' 19' 10
NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO THE NATION
From the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
New Year's Day is a fitting time to take stock to note what Australia
has achieved; and to consider what improvements and new achievements are re eded.
We have finished the old year greater in numbers and with more material
development than ever before. Most of us enjoy a standard of living and a way of
life that few other countries in the world can equal. But many improvements are

FOR PRESS: PM No. 124 1973
ACCESS TO COMMONWEALTH ARCHIVES
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Commonwealth records that are 30 years old or more will, as
from 1 January 1971, be available for scrutiny by the public. This policy
will replace the " 50 year access rule" that has operated ir-the past.
The 50 year rule was varied in 1966 to accelerate the release
of World War I records. Currently, records originating prior to 1923
are available publicly and records originating between then and 1939

FOR PRESS: PM No. 123/ 1970
PM'S MESSAGE TO UN', SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, tonight sent
the following message to the Secretary-General of the United Nations
" The Australian Government fully understands the concern
of the Government of Israel at the circumstances in which death
sentences were recently passed on two Soviet citizens of the Jewish
Race. It is alleged that an attempt was to be made to hi-jack an
aeroplane and no-one would wish to condone such an offence.
But it is disquieting that the trial itself was held in