STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. THE RT. HON.
SIR ROBERT MENZIES, K. T. H Q. C. 3 M. P.~
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRSENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 196~
I wish to inform the House of two decisions
concerning defence which have been taken by the Government.
The first has to do with the strength of the
Australian forces in Viet Nam. The Government has decided
to provide support units to the Army battalion there to make
it up to what is known as a Battalion Group. The support
units, which involve about 350O troops, include artillery,

FOR PRESS P. i. No. 61/ 1965
AiYOINTMENT TO CA3INET
Stateme2_ t by the Primein r the t. Hn Sr obert Menzes
ir. C. E. Barnes, iMinister for Territories,
has been appointed a member of the Cabinet.
Mr. Barnes will take the post left vacant
in the Cabinet following the appointment of Mr. Roberton,
formerly Minister for Social Services, to Dublin as
Ambassador. CANBERRA, 13th August, 1965.

P. 1M. No. 6o/ 1965
MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Menzies
Details of the separation arrangements being now
available, Ministers have today been studying the implications
of the establishment of Singapore as a State separate from and
independent of Malaysia.
I feel that I need to say at the outset that no
prior consultation or discussion with the Australian Government
took place. But the separation having occurred, we fully
accept it, and direct ourselves to the future.

EMBARGO: NOT TO BE PUBLISHIED, BROADCAST, TELECAST O CABLED
BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY, 30TH JULY, 1965. ( EST)
FOR PRESS P. M. No. 59/ 1 96
VISIT BY BRITISH MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
Statement bte _ Primee minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Menzies
The Rt. Hon. T. F. Peart, British
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, will visit
Australia in September at the invitation of the Australian
Government. Mr. Peart will be accompanied by his wrife.
Sir Robert said that the Government attached
a great deal of importance to the visit as the United

FOR PRESS: P. m. No. 58/ 196~
INDEPEN~ DENCE OF SOUTH VIET N4AM
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Menz& s
The Australian Government was informed by the
United States Government of the further decisions now announced
in Washington by the President for the defence of South Viet Nam.
The Government has in fact been in continuing touch with
Washington about the course of United States policy, and I have
already conveyed to Presjcbnt Johnson o1ir support for these
further efforts by the United States to preserve the independence

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29th Jdl, IL965

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 57/ 1965
LORD C-ASEY'S APPOINTMENT AS GOVERNOR-GENERAL
Statement by the Prime Minister? the RtHon. Sir Robert Menzies
This appointment gives us great delight and satisfaction.
I am certain that the people of Australia will welcome
it warmly. I know that Her Majesty The Queen has most
readily and happily agreed that a distinguished Australian
might be her representative in Australia, and in approving
this appointment, she has expressed her particular pleasure
concerning it,
As is well known, Lord Casey has, over many years,

65/ 1 n0-
œ 2-i Mas P. M oN. J196
UAL4= 1 HC9 FOR PRIME MINISTER&
Statmat n thhePO W inNs lr, the RtH& Sir Bbert Menij
Wha the Budget sitting* of Cabinet hav*
concludd, there vill be soe temporary reduction In
the pressure of my duties, I propose next week to
take advantage of thin by going into hospital In
Mlbourne for a few days, for a general check-p.
CANB& RRAv
21st July, 1965.

FOR PRESS P. Mi. No. 5+/ 1967
DEATH OF ADLAI STEVENSON
Statement by the Prime Minister the Rt. Honr Sir Robert
Menzies
The death of Adlai Stevenson is a great
loss not only to his own country but to the world.
He added to his great ability a singular capacity for
expression and an engaging personality which won him
many friends. The Australian Government shares in the
general sorrow that will be caused by his untimely
death. CANBERRA, July, 1965.

FOR PRESS RETIREM" ENT FROM THE SENATE BY SENAITOR
SIR WILIANM SPOONER,, KCMG, M
The following is an exchange of letters today
between the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies and Sir
William Spooner
" My dear Prime Minister,
I refer to the various discussions we have
had since I resigned from the Cabinet concerning
my position in the Senate.
At these discussions I expressed the view
that when the time was opportune, I would like to
retire from the Senate and you have been good enough
to understand my desire to do this.