66/ 035
FOR PRESS P. M. No. 23/ 1966
ECONOMIC CONSULTATIONS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt.
The Government this afternoon completed its
current series of economic consultations when Ministers met
representatives of the A. C. T. U. Today's meeting followed
discussions last week with representatives of commerce and
industry. The A. C. T. U. was represented by Mr. Albert Monk
( President), Mr. J. D. Kenny ( Vice-President), Mr. W. P.
Evans ( Junior Vice-President) and Mr. H. J. Souter ( Secretary).

INCREASED AID TO VIET NAM
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. H. AROID1=-T&
FOR RADIO AND TV 9TH ? MCH. 1966
Mr. Caiwell's proposal for a referendum in relation to
the despatch of National Servicemen to South Viet Nam I think reflects
a misunderstanding of what is proposed.
He hearks back to the quite dissimilar situation which
existed in the First and Second World Wars. There people enlisted for
service for an indefinite period of years and in the result, many were
absent from Australia for a number of years. But our National

POLICY
INTERVIEW GIVEN BY THE PRIME MINISTER. MR.
GALLERY. CANBERRA 9TH MARCH, 196
MR. HOLT Gentlemen, my principle purpose in asking you to come
together with me this morning was that after such a lengthy statement
covering so much ground, I thought there would be a fair amount of
fill-in required. Some of you may feel that you wanted some
amplification at various points, so I didn't bring you together
to make another lmng speech, but to be available to clarify where
that seemed desirable. And so unless otherwise indicated, I think

 GOVERNMENT POLICY

 Ministerial Statement

 [ From the " Parliamentary Debates," 8th March 1966]

66/ 032
FOR PRESS P. M. No. 22/ 1966
TALKS WITH PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Hnlt
There was a discussion today between representatives
of the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments on the question
of an extension of the Brigalow Scheme into Area 3.
Area 5 is the Mackenzie Isaac River Basin section of
the Fitzroy Basin area. It contains an area of about six
million acres. It has a rainfall of about 25 inches per annum.
Major operations in Areas 1 and 2 are nearing

66/ 0 17
FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 21/ 1966
ECONOMIC CONSULTATI ONS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Holt
Members of the Economic Committee of Cabinet
have conducted a series of discussions in the course of the day
with representatives of official advisory bodies and with a group
of national organisations representing industry and commerce.
There were separate meetings this morning with the Manufacturing
Industries Advisory Council and the Export Development Council.
This afternoon, the talks continued with the group ~ f national

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 20/ 196
DAWSON BY-ELECTION
Comment by the Prime Minister, Mr. Har61d Holt
Dr. Patterson is to be congratulated on his
impressive victbry. By-elections are notoriously unreliable guides to
the state of public thinking on national issues, and the
special local features of this campaign put the result very
much in that category.
However, when the full details are available,
we shall be studying the vote and its implications closely.
CANBERRA, 27th February, 1966.

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 19/ 1966
TRIBUTES TO SIR ROBERT MENZIES
Statem~ ent by the Prime Minister. Mr. Harold Holt
Two special functions to honour Sir Robert Menzies
will be held in Canberra next month..
The first, n'n the 7th March, will be a tribute from
members of the Ministry. This Ministerial Dinner will be
a relaxed " family" gathering.
The se(, ond function will be on the 17th. This will be
a Parliamentary Dinner given by the Government to honour a
great Parliamentarian who made Australian history with a record

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 18/ 1966
TALKS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND
Statement by the Prime Minister. Mr. Harold Holt
The Cabinet met this morning with the Prime Minister
of Thailand, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, and the Foreign
Minister, Mr. Thanet Khoman, and the Minister for National
Development, Mr. Pote Sarasin.
Discussions were frank and cordial. They covered a
wide range of subjects. We are partners in the SEATO Treaty,
each having a vital concern for the stability of South-East Asia

FIRST ANNLUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS
SYDNEY N. S. W. 24TH FEBRUARY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME IINISTER TIR. HAROLD HOLT
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Ministerial and Parliamentary Colleagues,
Ladies I understand there are some brave ladios with us here
tonight and Gentlemen;
I don't know what the scene appears to you in the
background there but I can assure you that this is about as
impressive a gathering that any public loader in this country could