PM No. 137/ 1967

PRIME MINISTER MISSING - Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. John McEwen

The Australian people are aware that the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Harold Holt is missing off Portsea Beach. My information is that he was swimming this morning with a companion, Mr. Stewart, Director of the Fort Quarantine Station. Shortly after noon the two were separated in strong currents. At about 12.40 Mr Stewart reached the shore and raised the alarm.

FOR PRESS i' Dt4? d
j;-iPJ0PM. NO. 136/ 1967
GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO ASSIST INDUSTRY
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt_
This week the Federal Government has met representatives
of the manufacturing and rural Industries of Australia to discuss the
immediate and long term effects of the British devaluation of the Pound
Sterling and the Australian decision to maintain the value of the Dollar.
General assessments by inustry were closely in line
with those made by the Government and detailed consideration began of

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FOR PRESS* 148RAPF0 PM. NO. 135/ 1967
DEVALUATION: REAFFIRMATION OF GOVERNMEI'WS
DECISION
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
Since the Commonwealth Government* decided on
November to maintain the value of the Australian Dollar when Britain
devalued the Pount Sterling, the effect on Australian Industries and the
economic outlook in general have been under continuous study.
Nothing has emerged to alter the assessmnents made at the
time of the British devaluation and on which the Government's decision

FOR PRESS

PM. No. 134/ 1967

PRAISE FOR AUSTRALIA'S SATELLITE

Congratulatory messages received in Canberra this week, including one from President Johnson, have highlighted the international recognition which Australia has achieved with the launching of its first satellite WRESAT.

Following are texts of messages from President Johnson, the American Vice President and Chairman of the National Aeronautics and Space Council (Mr Hubert H. Humphrey) and the US Secretary of Defense (Mr Robert McNamara:-

President Johnson

iDEC 1W
FOR PRESS: PM. No. 133/ 1c, 7
VISIT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
The Prime Minister of India, Mrs Indira Gandhi, will
make an official visit to Australia from 13th to 17th January at the
invitation of the Australian Government. She will visit Canberra,
Sydney and Melbourne. Details of her programme will be announced
later. There will be general pleasure in Australia that Mrs
Gandhi is coming to this country. She represents a great people and

FOR PRESS: 1 L 1Bj RV PM. No. 132/ 1967
SENIOR GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
Sir Edwin Hicks, Secretary to the Department of Defence,
will become Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand early next
year. He will be succeeded by Sir Henry Bland, at present Secretary
to the Department of Labour and National Service. S11ir Henry's appointment
will be from 3th January, 1968.
Sir Edwin has distinguished himself as one of the Commonwealth's
most able administrators during his eleven years as Permanent

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13 DEC W PM. No. 131/ 1967
EXHIBITION OF AUSTRALIAN PAINTING IN INDIA
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
An exhibition of contemporary A ustralian painting, which
will be seen in several Indian cities over the next few weeks, has opened
in New Delhi. The exhibition is being sponsored by the Commonwealth
Government in co-operation with the Government of India, the Indian
Education Ministry and the Indian Academy of Art.
The exhibition comprises thirty-four paintings. Fourteen

FOR PRESS: OOC/ P FM. No. 130/ 1967
REQUEST IN LORD B RUCE'S WILL
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
The Government has been advised from Equity Trustees,
the Administrators of the V.' ill of the late Lord Bruce, that the former
Prime Minister had requested that his ashes should be scattered
over Canberra. The Government has approved of this being done and will
ask the RAAF to perform the ceremony. The Government will arrange
for a special memorial service to be held during the scattering of the

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FOR PRESS C ~ D EC 1967 PM. NO0. 129/ 1967
STERLING DEVALUATION: CAB I NET DISCUSSES
EFFECTS ON AUSTRALIA
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
When announcing on 20th November the decision of the
Government that there should be no change made In the value of the
Australian Dollar following the British Government's amnouucement of,
devaluation of the Pound Sterling, I said that Cabinet recognised that the
effects of this decision would fall unevenly on the Australian economy,