FOR PRESS:
NOT FOR PUBLICATION BEFORE 9.00 P. M. WEDNESDAY 23 DECEIBER 1970
P. M. NO. 122/ 1970
VISIT BY THE DUKE OF EDINhBURGH
The following-press statement has been released
from Buckingham Palace, London at noon today
" The Duke of Edinburgh has accepted an invitation
to visit Australia in March 1971 to take part in the
Anniversary Celebrations of the Royal Australian
Air Force. The itinerary will include South Australia,
Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
En route to Australia His Royal Highness will

FOR PRESS: PM No. 121/ 1970
PREMIERS' CONFERENCE
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Arrangements have now been completed
with the State Premiers for a meeting of the
Premiers' Conference to be held in Canberra
on Thursday 4 February 1971.
CANBERRA 23 December 1970

FOR PRESS: PM No. 120/ 1970
AUSTRALIAN DELEGATION TO PRIME MINISTERS' CONFERENCE
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, will fly to Singapore on Tuesday
the 12th of January to attend the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference.
The Conference begins on the 14th of January and will continue until
the 22nd. The Australian delegation to the Conference will comprise
The Prime Minister ( who will be accompanied by M~ rs. Gorton);.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Mr. W. McMahon);
The Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department ( Mr. C. L. Hewitt);

FOR PRESS: PM No. 119/ 1! 970
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO THE FOC-RCES
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, has sent the
following Christmas message to members of the Australian Armed
Forces " To all those serving in the armed forces of the Commonwealth
I se-nd warm greetingo and good wishes for Christmac and the New
Year on behalf of the Government and people of Australia.
Throughout the year you have maintained the highest standards
and traditions of our fighting forces on land, sea and in the air.
Cur special thankz-and greetings go to all Australians in

FOR PRESS: PM 1No. 118/ 1970
MINISTER FOR THE NAVY CHRISTMAS v ISIT
TO SOUTCH VIETNAM
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
The Minister for the Navy, the Honourable D. J. : Nillen, M. P.
will be visiting units of the Australian Armed Forces in S outh Vietnam
and units of the R. A. N. in Singapore and Hong Kong over the Christmas
period. Mr. Killen will leave Australia on Tuesday, 22 December
for Singapore where he will go aboard the destroyer escort
H. M. A. S. Yarra. Mr. Killen will then leave for Saigon on Thursday 24 December

FOR PRESS: P. M. No 117/ 1970
DEATH OF LORD SLIM
Tribute from the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Lord Slim won the admiration of the Australian
people in war and peace.
He proved himself an outstanding General in
the Second World War, and in the post-war years was a highly
respected and popular Governor-General of Australia.
A down-to-earth, courageous, professional soldier,
who had risen through the ranks, Lord Slim had a particularly
warm place in the hearts of Australians.
We are saddened to learn of his death, and I

FOR PRESS: P . N1617
W] THHOLDING TAX AMENDMENTS TO TAX LAW
Statement by the Prime Minister, kMr. john r ton
The Government has consistently emphasised the importance to Australia of
a strong and continuing inflow of overseas development capital. We have equaly
emphasised the need toietain and increase Australian equity in, aind ownership of, our
expanding resources.
We have now decided to propose to the Parliament, in the early part of next
year, amendments to the taxation law as it affects overseas borrowings, such

FOR PRESS: P. MI. No. 115/ 1970
COMMONWEALTH'S OFFER ON RURAL RECONSTRUCTION
Comment by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
There is no need for a Premiers' Conference on the offer made
by the Commonwealth to tackle the problem of rural reconstruction,
farm adjustment, and retraining of farmers who decide to leave the land.
This is a Commonwealth initiative and a Commonwealth offer
aimed at helping the rural community in all States. If-the Government of
any State does not wish to join in that scheme, or to accept that offer,

EMBARGO 12. 30 a. Friday 11 December 1970
FOR PRESS: P. M. No 114/ 1970
GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO VISIT NEW ZEtLAND
Statement bythe Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
With the approval of Her Majesty and concurrence of the
Commonwealth Government the Governor-General and Lady Hasluck will
pay an official visit to New Zealand next February at the invitation of the
Governor-General of New Zealand, His Excellency Sir Arthur Porritt.
The Governor-General and Lady Hasluck will fly to
Wellington in the Governor-General's R. A. A. F. aircraft o-n, Thurc-day,

FOR PRESS: P. M. No 111/ 1970
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS:
MAJOR GRANTS FOR 1971
Statement byL the Prime Minister,. Mr. John Gorton
I have received from the Australian Council for the Artj recommendations
concerning the major grants to be made by the Commonwealth Government in the
current financial year.
Following last year's pattern, my Government has again provided on the
recommendation of the Council a considerable increase in support for the arts. The
Council's Budget for 1970-1971 has been increased by $ 1 million to $ 3.85 million.