PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 317
September 1974
ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING SOME
AUSTRALIAN MARITIME UNIONS
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, announced today that
the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, in Executive Council, has
appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into allegations of
demands and payments affecting certain Australian Maritime unions.
Mr Whitlam said the Honourable John Bernard Sweeney,
Judge of the Australian Industrial Court, had been appointed the
Royal Commissioner and would be assisted by counsel.

A U> S T K A L I( A
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 316
September 1974
ASSISTANCE TO NEW SOUTH WALES TO ALLEVIATE FLOOD DAMAGE
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, announced today
that he had informed the Premier of New South Wales that the
Australian Government would join with the New South Wales
Government in the normal manner in assistance for the relief
of personal hardship and distress arising from the widespread
flooding now affecting a number of areas in New South Wales.
Mr. Whitlam said that the Australian Government

_, AUSTRALI,.~ Press Statement No. 315
September 1974
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL GALLERY. INTERIM COUNCIL
The Prime Minister announced today that the Government
had appointed an Interim Council for the Australian National
Gallery. The interim Council will be responsible for all
Gallery affairs until it is established as a statutory
authority. It is expected that members of the Interim Council
will become members of Council of the Gallery once there is
a statute, and then serve normal initial terms of up to
3 years. Members of the Interim Council are:-.

3 September 1974

I felt some apprehension when the Mayor arrived in a Roman chariot this morning. It occurred to me that a right-wing extremist might come up on a white charger to beat me to the ribbon.

IPRESS STATEMENT NO. 314
2 September 1974
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL GALLERY ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, today announced
that the activities of the Australian National Gallery
Acquisitions Committee would wind down shortly with the
appointment of an Interim Council to take over all Gallery
affairs. The Acquisitions Committee has comprised:
Mr. James Gleeson ( Sydney), Chairman
Mr. Leonard French ( Melbourne)
Mr. Clifford Last ( Melbourne)
Mr. James Mollison ( Canberra)
Mr. Fred Williams ( Melbourne)

Press Statement No. 313

2 September 1974

The Prime Minister announced today that he had forwarded references to the Industries Assistance Commission on what assistance should be accorded the production in Australia of cellulose acetate flake and agricultural tractors.

Both bounties have been in force for a number of years and were regularly reviewed by the Tariff Board. In the case of agricultural tractors the bounty has been in existence in one form or another since 1922.

EMBARGO: 3.00 P. M.
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON. E. G. WHITLAM, M. P.,
AT THE OPENING OF THE MAROONDAH SOCIAL HEALTH CENTRE, RINGWOOD,
MELBOURNE, SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 1974
One of the greatest areas of inequality which exists
in Australia is in the field of health care. Too many areas
lack adequate hospitals and too many people don't have ready
access to the services of doctors and other skilled medical
workers. The provision of medical services has simply not kept
pace with the changes in our society. This applies particularly

SPEECH BY THE PRIME INISTER,
THE 0E. G. HITLA],
TO THE ITALIANCOMIITTEE OF COORDINATION
FOR THE LAUNCHING OF ITALIAN WEEK 1975
' ELBOURNE, SATURDAY, 31 AUGUST 197'!.
IT IS A RARE PLEASURE IN 1974 TO BE LAUNCHING ITALIAN
WEEK 1975. I WISH WE COULD PLAN POLITICAL EVENTS WITH THE.
SAME CERTAINTY. THIS IS THE FIRST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE
ITALIAN COMMUNITY I HAVE ATTENDED IN lIELBOURNE SINCE BECOMING
PRIME MINISTER, IT WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE THE LAST.
AUSTRALIANS NEED NO REMINDER OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE

ILU
US r KA I AC
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 312
31 August 1974
DEATH OF NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER
Norman Kirk's death is a deeply tragic loss for New
Zealand, Australia and the Pacific region.
New Zealand has lost a great leader. Australia has
lost a firm friend. The Pacific and South East Asian region
has lost a forceful and creative spokesman. The cause of
democratic socialism throughout the world has lost one of its
pillars of strength and sources of inspiration.
I have lost a dear and most highly valued friend.

PRESS STATEMENT NO. 311
August 1974
RELEASE OF INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION REPORT
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, today released
the Industries Assistance Commission report on Food
Processing Machinery, etc.
Mr. Whitlam. said that the Government's decision
on the report will be announced at the earliest practicable
date. CANBERRA, A. C. T.