66/ 079
FOR PRESS P. M. No. 44/ 1966
COMMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. HAROLD HOLT ON
STATEM. ENT BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, MR.
CALWE-LL
The widely-reported statement attributed to the
Federal Opposition Leader that Australian National Servicemen
in Viet Nam apparently are being kept out of the most dangerous
battle areas until after the Federal elections is a typical
piece of Calwell fiction, utterly without foundation,
recklessly made, mischievous in its effects and offensive in
its implications.
CANBERRA, May, 1966

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 43/ 1966
THE VIET NAM MEDAL
Stater:: ent by the Prime Minister, 1M1r. Harold Holt
Her Majesty The Queen has signified her approval to the
award of a special medal for service in Viet Nam, and to the
desi8n of a ribbon for the medal.
The approval follows a joint approach by the Prime
Minister of Nev,, Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Keith Holyoake, and
myself to Her Majesty for a medal which would recognise
service by Australian and Ne:; Zealand servicemen in Viet Nam.
In consultation with New Zealand + he ribbon has been

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 41/ 1966
PREMIERS' CONFERENCE AND LOANT COUNCIL
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt
Arrangements have been made with the State
Premiers for meetings of the Premiers' Conference and the
Australian Loan Councijl to be held in Canberra on 16th and
17th June. I shall preside at the Premiers' Conference
and Mr. McMahon, as Treasurer, will be Chairman of the Loan
Council. CANB3ERRA, 18th May, 1966 i

-FOR PRESS P. M. No. 42/ 1966
ORD RIVER PiZOJECT
Statement by the Prime Minister, ir. Harold Holt
Cabinet devoted a good deal of time yesterday to a
considerable body of material which it had before it relating to
the Ord River Project.
The Government has already demonstrated its interest
in the development of the Ord and its willingness to assist the
Western Australian Government in the hope that an extensive
agricultural settlement can be maintained in the area utilising
the water of the Ord for the irrigation of the fertile soil which

66/ 03
FOR PRESS: P. M. Y~ o. 40/ 1966
" BoODAOO" FOR VIET NAM
Comment by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt
The Commonwealth GUovernment will take whatever
action is found to be necessary to see that these supplies
get to our troops in Viet Nam.
I have discussed the issue today with relevant
Ministers. A conference or, the matter will be held tomorrow
between officers of the Departments of Shipping and Transport
and Labour and National Service and the Australian National
Line. CANBEIRRA, May, 1966.

FOR PRESS EMBARGO: Not to be released
before 4 p. m.
Sunday May, 1966.
COMMONWEALTH HOME SAVIUG S GRANT SCHEME
Statement by the Minister for Housijna
Senator the Hon. Dame Annabelle aankin D. B. E.
The Commonwealth Minister for Housing, Damne Annabelle
Rankin, announced today that 50,000 grants have now been made
under the Home Saving., s Grant Scheme since its inception in July,
1964. Of grants paid, 73 per cent have been for the maximum
of $ 500, the average being close to $ 460. The grants paid
total approximately $ 22,800,000.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
SPEECH BY
The Rt. Hon. HAROLD HOLT, M. P.,
ON
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO SOUTH EAST ASIA
Ministerial Statement
[ From the " Parliamentary Debates," 5th May 1966]
Mr. HAROLD HOLT ( Higgins--Prime
Minister).-by leave-Southern Asia today
demands and receives world wide attention
and concern. In this ancient complex,
densely-populated region the habits and
practices of centuries are bending,
breaking or yielding under the impact
of twentieth century technology and
new concepts are challenging the old.

OLD) WESLEY COLLEGIANS' ASSOCIATION CENTENARY 66 / 084
FOUNDERS' DAY DINNER
TOWN HALL. MELBOURNE 2nd May. 1966
Speech by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt
Mr. Presicient, Many Distinguished Guests and Fellow Collegians-
It would be a wonderful thing, as so many of you
are finding, to be at the Wesley Centenary Dinner. A very
remarkable thing to be not only at the Wesley Centenary Dinner,
but to be there as guest of honour, and to be there both as
guest of honour and as Prime Minister of the country. Well,

fATEMB~ NT BY TIM, PRIME MINISTER, MR. HAROLD HOLT
SYDNEY AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM HIS TOUR OF
SOUTH EAST ASIA. 1st May, 19GG
Well, gentlemen, I don't propose to say a great deal
in detail here for very obvious and good reasono.. The first
is that just having come off a rather long and tiring flight
after what has been a very heavy programme, literally more than
sixteen hours a day in active operation of one kind or another,
this is not the state of mind or body in which to make
carefully considered statements about matters of the degree of

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Press Conference , iven by the Prime iviAst: er,-, Mr. Harold Holt
at Siniapor Airport 30TH APRIL. 1966
I thought it might be useful if I had a few comments
of a general kind to make, as this really is the wind-up of my
tour of the various countries of South-East Asia I have been visiting,
and then provide an opportunity a rather loner one than I was
able to give you before for any questions which you might wish
to put to me. I am sure those of you who live in this region or who