PRIME MINISTER'S
PRESS CONFERENCE, CASTLEMAINE 14 May 1974
PRIME MINISTER: at 11.00 o'clock and I wanted to see this
century old market at Castlemaine, following on Mr Justice Oakes.
Commitee on the National Estate report who we are going to
restore thexEmsk to the cost of 46,000. xTxhavxalso I also have
of course a a dutiable because my gxxahex grandfather Henry Hugh Gough
Whitlam was born here, in 1856. I am'the most Victorian of all
pi political leaders-in our nation. Are there any questions you'
would like to ask me gentlemen.

4AUSTRLIALñ
PRIME MINISTER
I 14 May 1974
MARITIME INDUSTRY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
The Prime Minister, the Hon. E. G. Whitlam, M. P.,
announced today . that the Government had received the f irst
report of the Maritime Industry Commission of Inquiry which was
presented to the Governor-General on 6 May 1974.
The first report prepared by the Commissioner, Mr M. M. Summers,
covers training requirements for sea-going personnel. It consists
of two parts. Part I covers principles, broad proposals and

PARLIAMENTARY 18
May 1974
PRICES NOTIFICATION BY
SHELL AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES LIMITED
I have received a notification dated 10 May
from Shell Australian Securities Limited in the
following terms:
" In accordance with Section 18( 6) of the Prices
Justification Act 1973, we hereby give notice of
our intention to increase prices, from 13 May 1974,
or as soon thereafter as is practicable, by the
amounts recommended by the Prices Justification
Tribunal in its report dated 3 May 1974."
The company has also advised that its new

CVA STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER
CA CHELSEA MEETING, MELBOURNE, 14 MAY 1974
The Opposition have made it brutally clear that they
would do nothing of value for the care and education of young
children. C-hild care, would suffer under a Country Party-Liberal
Government fo-r thKe-same reason that education would suffer.
Mr Snedden would prefer to spend the money on wealthy sectional
interests. The Liberal record on child care demonstrates their
neglect and indifference. In their last three years in office

PRIME MINISTER 
13 May 1974 
PUBLIC LENDING RIGHT TO AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS 

* 0EMBARGO: 4.00PM MONDAY 13 MAY 1974
0 13 May 1974
VISIT BY H. R. H. PRINCE CHARLES
The Prime Minister announced today that advice had
been received from London that The Prince Charles
will inaugurate the Anglo-Australian telescope at
Siding Springs and carry out other engagements in
Australia next October.
A similtaneous release to the same effect is
being released in London.
CANBERRA. A. C . T. IA
Jj AUSTHALIA,, l1
CANBERRA. A. C. T.

A-IWtA I I 13 May 1974
S'AVEMNT BY THE! PRIME~ MINISTER, ' H110 IN. E. G. WIIITLAM, Q. C. M. P.
HANDBOOK ON AUSTRALIAN GOVER14MENT ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERN4MENT
PROJECTS 13 MAY 1974
The Australian Government is determined to ensure that
local government plays a full role in our three-tier,
federal system of government, and as part of this we will
see that it is given adequate access to the nation's
finances.
As a major step in enabling local government to obtain the
financial help to which it is entitled, the Department

13 May 1974
ASSISTANCE TO QUEENSLAND FOR HOUSING
RESTORATION WORK
The Prime Minister announced today that the Premier of
Queensland had accepted the Australian Government's offer of
assistance to Queensland for housing restoration work.
Mr Whitlam said that his offer, announced on 5 May,
involved 70 volunteer tradesmen employed by the Australian
Department of Housing and Construction going to Brisbane to
assist in the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.
CANBERRA. A. C. T

13 May 1974
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam said tonight:
" Christmas Island was, in the past, administered by Britain
for convenience as part of the Colony of Singapore. In 1958 it
was transferred to Australian sovereignty by Britain.
" Australian sovereignty over the island is not in question.
Nor are we handing over control of the rock phosphate deposits.
" When I was in Singapore in February the question of
Christmas Island was mentioned to me by Lee Kuan Yew. There was no

PARLIAMENTARt1 O
4> usTAA
PRIME MINISTER 13 May 1974
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
The Prime Minister announced today that the Chairman of the
I SCccooomntcmtil, tu steiheoa nd so fw rainIdtn tqeurnie rcytoo m mienantddov aitsGieoo vnehsri. nm m eofnT th et hPePr roicCmuoerm emmMieitnnttie, se t'esSr i rm arjeWocaralltleer d
that in announcing the establishment of the Committee in
November 1973, it was foreshadowed that the Committee's
report would form the basis of a review, by Ministers, of