ER'S -0D P
0 JAN 1968
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE J. McEWEN
The Prime Minister, Mr. J. McEwen, said today he had
been in consultation with the Indian Government about the pending
visit to Australia of the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira
Gandhi, scheduled to begin on 13th January.
It had been agreed that Mrs. Gandhi's visit would be
postponed because of the death of Mr. Holt until later in the
year at a date suitable to both Mrs. Gandhi and her Government
and the Australian Government.

The President and the Prime Minister took the opportunity this morning, both in the Prime Minister's office and in a wider meeting in the Cabinet room, to exchange views on a range of current matters. As was made clear in advance, the meeting tock the form of conversations about these matters rather than a formal conference.

~\~ VJSDEP 41
JAIA W
PRIME MINISTER, MR. J. McE\ 7 N, MEETS WITH PRESS
MR. McEVIEN: I wanted to see you yesterday, but pressure of events
overtook me, so I'm seeing you now.
First, I want now publicly to e-press through your media
my deep regret at the loss of Mr. Holt and to say that I am sure
this is a regret felt by every single Australian citizen and
obviously deeply felt in much wider circles overseas.
Mr. Holt, as you all knew, was a typical Australian. I
think any one of us would be happy to be so described. He was at

TEXT OF STATEMENT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION. BY
THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT. HON. JOHN McEWEN, MP
19TH DECEMBER, 1967
We all share the terrible grief which Mrs Holt and her family
are suffering. On behalf of the nation I have conveyed to Mrs Holt our
deepest sympathy. It is dreadful that In the prime of his life this good, able and
devoted Australian should have been taken from us.
Early this afternoon I accepted a commission from the Governor-
General as Prime Minister. I have told Lord Casey that I Intend to retain

92. C1 JAN 1968
ZI R i
FOR PRESS PM. NC. 3.33/ 967
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHNSON
Following is the text of a message which was sent
by President Johnson to the Frime Minister, the Rt. Hon. John McEwen
" In Harold Holt's passing the free world has lost
a courageous and far-seeing leader, and I have lost a
comrade who was generous with the gift of a warm and wise
heart. I found comfort in his friendship and strength in his
partnership. He and the people for whom he spoke were
always dependable and unshakeable. Those blessings remain

EN1O~ TB RGFOO: R RELEASE BEFORE 7.45 P. M. ON 19/ 12/ 67.
TRIBUTE TO MR. HOLT ON NATIONAL RADIO BY
THE PRIME MINISTER. THE RT. HON. JOHfN Mc~ l," EN. M. P.
Harold Holt and I have been Parliamentary colleagues
and intimate friends for more than 30 years. As two men in
Australian political life we enjoyed a long and understanding
relationship. His presumed untimely death is a tragedy for us
as a nation and for many thousands as individuals.
W He had great personal charm. He was one of the
warmest and most friendly persons one could know. He was a