The Netherlands
Speech by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, MrJoop den Uyl,
at a dinner given in honour of the
The Hagueon 4January 1975
The honour and the pleasure of receiving you in
the Netherlands, Mr Prime Minister, Mrs
Whitlam and our other distinguished Australian
guests, is due, no doubt, to the close relations
between our countries and co-operation in various
international fields. May I add that the
pleasure of receiving you at this very moment
has perhaps also something to do with the fact

STATEMvENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER DR J. F. CAIRNS
The Acting Prime Minister Dr Cairns said today
he had been in communication with the Director-General of
the Natural Disasters Organisation, Major General Stretton.
General Stretton advised Dr Cairns that in his opinion the
emergency situation in Darwin was at an end and that it was
appropriate that the administration of the city be handed back
to the normal authorities.
General Stretton advised Dr Cairns that Darwin was
secure and was functioning in an orderly way. Dr Cairns said

rt)
PRESS STATEMENT NO. 427
31 December 1974
DARWIN RELIEF: NAURU CHEQUE FOR DARWIN RELIEF
President Hammer de Roburt of Nauru has presented a
cheque for $ A100p, 000( to the Australian Government for Darwin
relief purposes. President de Roburt made the presentation yesterday to
Australia's representative in Nauru, following a ministerial
statement to Parliament.
The President's statement said: " The House will be
aware of the shocking disaster caused by a cyclone which struck
the city of Darwin early on Christmas Day.

5* 7
NATIONAL BROADCAST AND PRESS CONFERENCE
ON DARWIN DISASTER, SYDNEY, 30 DECEMBER 1974
PRIME MINISTER:...... will have the responsibility for looking
after-the people of Darwin, most of whom, of course, have been
now evacuated from the city. And the Minister for the
Northern Territory, Dr. Rex Patterson, will have prime responsibility
for the reconstruction of the city. As you know, it
had already been decided that there should be a payment of
special benefits to families which were evacuated from Darwin

Press Release No. 4126
DARWIN DISASTER MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE
The Prime Minister today released the texts of
further messages of condolence on the Darwin cyclone.
People's Republic of China
" Shocked to learn that the city of Darwin wa~ s hit
by a terrific cyclone with disastrous consequences. On
behalf of the Chinese Government and people, I wish to
express our heartfelt sympathy and solicitude to you,
and through you, to the Australian Government and the people
in Darwin. Chou En-lai, Premier of the State Council of

56
AUSTRALiA.
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 425
27 December 1974
PERTH AIRPORT STATEMENT
The Prime Minister released the following statement
on his arrival at Perth Airport this afternoon.
" I have been appalled by the reports I have had of
the loss of life and damage in Darwin.
I am going to see the extent of the destruction and
shall then consult with the Ministers who will be directly
concerned with helping the citizens of Darwin and re-constructing
their city. I have called a specLl Cabinet meeting in Sydney on

USTRF A 1.1A&
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 424
27 December 1974
DARWIN EMERGENCY: MESSAGES FROM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT
The Prime Minister's office has released the text of
messages received from Hleads of Government expressing concern
and sympathy at the devastation caused by the Darwin cylcone.
New Zealand: " On behalf of my Cabinet colleagues and
the Government and the people of New Zealand, please extend
our deepest sympathy to the people of Darwin who have suffered
so grievously as a result of the recent cylcone.

PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 423
27 December 1974
DARWIN EMERGENCY: MESSAGE FROM STATE PREMIERS
The Prime Minister's office has released the text of
messages received today from the Victorian and Western Australian
Premiers offering assistance in the Darwin emergency.
Mr. Hamer's message reads: " I am happy to offer any
resources of the Victorian Government which may be of use in
the Darwin disaster. These resources include emergency
accommodation, medical help, hospital facilities and technical

-ij AUSrRAIIAAt
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 422
27 December 1974
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEETING IMMEDIATE CASH NEEDS OF PEOPLE
EVACUATED FROM DARWIN
On his arrival at Perth Airport this afternoon, the
Prime Minister released details of measures being taken to
meet the special needs of the people who are being evacuated
from Darwin. He said that a meeting of representatives of relevant
Departments had been held in Canberra this morning to discuss
relief measures and co-ordination. The Minister for Social

PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 420
27 December 1974
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO DARWIN
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, said today that after
his arrival in Perth late afternoon, Friday 27 December,
he would fly onto Alice Springs where he would stay overnight.
Mr. Whitlam is due to leave Alice Springs at 6.00 a. m.
on Saturday 28 December, arriving in Darwin at 8.05 a. m.
He will be accompanied by Mr. John Menadue, Secretary of the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and members of