PRESS RELEASE BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON. E. G.
WHITLAM, CLOTHING INDUSTRY
The Prime Minister announced today that the first reference
was being forwarded to the Textiles Authority within the
Industries Assistance Commission. The reference followed
discussions between the Prime Minister and the Minister for
Overseas Trade, Dr. Cairns and the Minister for Secondary
Industry, Mr. Enderby. The reference asked the Authority to
un dertake an immediate examination of the principal sectorsof
the clothing industry to ascertain whether action should be

EMBARGO: 4.30 p. m.
j6May 1974
: THE CARE AND EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN
During his speech today in Sydney's marginal Bennelong
electorate, Mr. Whitlam announced the details of the Labor
Government's new child care program.
Mr. Whitlam said that by 1978, half a million Australian
children would have access to both pre school educational
opportunities and child care. Pre school education will
be free for all children. Child care will be subsidised
with parents contributing to the cost according to their

EMBARGO: 2. OOPM MONDAY 6 MAY 1974
. J ,, AUSTRALI( At&-
RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANISATION CONVENTION
ON EQUAL PAY
The Australian Government in its submission in the 1974 National
Wage Case argued for an extension of the minimum wage to adult females.
As a result of the successful outcome of this submission and of the
submissions of the Women's Electoral Lobby, the Union of Australian
Women and the National Council of Women of Australia, the Australian
Government has now fulfilled its obligations under the I. L. O. Equal

PRPM NUNISTER May 1974
REDUCTION OF HOME-INTEREST RATES
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, today said that the Labor
scheme for income tax deductibility on home interest paymenLs would
effectively-cut interest rates for home buyers by 3 percent.
It would bring home-interest rates for an average wage earner
wn to their lowest level in ten years.
The Prime Minister announced details of the scheme at a meeting
in Adaminaby in support of the Labor M. P. for Eden-Monaro, Mr Bob Whan.
* r One of the few positive undertakings Mr Snedden had given

Z7
. Jj\ AUSTRA IAL May 1974
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE -NATIONAL BANK SURVEY
The Survey of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and the
National Bank discloses a sound, healthy and growing economy.
Employment is high, profitability is high, trading is good
and business expectations for the future are that this situation
will continue. The survey confirms that the economic management of Australia
has been in good hands.
Where is the alleged " crisis" that Mr Snedden is trying to
sell to Australians.

PRIME MINISTER May 1974
OFFER OF ASSISTANCE TO QUEENSLAND FOR
HOUSING RESTORATION WORK
The Prime Minister said today that he was concerned
over reports of delays being experienced by the Queensland
authorities in obtaining tenders for housing restoration works
approved under the flood relief arrangements between the Queensland
and Australian Governments.
The Australian Government, therefore, had offered the
Queensland Government assistance, by way of an Australian Government
volunteer work force of some 70 employees, to assist with flood

-',) AUSTRALIA&/
PRIME MINISTER 3 May 1974
APPOINTMENT OF SIR JOHN4 CRAWFORD TO INDUSTRIES
RSSISTANCE COMMISSION
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, announced today that
Sir John Crawford had been appointed an Associate of the
Industries Assistance Commission, and will preside at the
Commission's inquiries into rural reconstruction and the dairy
industry. Mr Whitlam expressed appreciation for this further
service to the community by an outstanding public servant whose
dedication and objectivity have enabled him to advise successive

, AU STHA LIA-,
PRIME MINISTER 3 May 1974
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON. E. G. WHITLAM, MP.
DARTMOUTH DAM
The River Murray Commission in the immediate future
will have to make a decision about letting the main contract for
the Dartmouth Dam, which will be the means of adding very
substantially to the water available to South Australia in the
years to come. The Australian Government had last year suggested that
there could be some , merit in slowing down the rate of construction

, AUI'AI. I AL'-
PRIME MINISTER 3 MAY 1974
CORAL SEA WEEK GUEST OF HONOUR 1974
The Prime Minister announced today that Admiral Bernard
A. Clarey, USN ( retired), former Commander of the Pacific fleet,
will come to Australia for the Coral Sea Week Celebrations this
year. Mr Whitlam said that Admiral Clarey will be accompanied
by Mrs Clarey and that their official itinerary will begin in
Sydney on Monday 6 May. Admiral and Mrs Clarey will then visit
Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Hobart. If time permits visits

SPEECH NOTES FOR 1WPRIM'E MIiNISTER F
PERTH-LUNCNEON-MEETING 2 KAY 1974
Or ALL T HE ISSUES THAT HAVE EMERGED DURING
THIS CAMPAIGN THE GREATEST OF THEM INVOLVES THIS BASIC
QUESTION: WILL AUST. RALLANS CONTINUE TO CONTROL THEIRj
OWN ECONOMIC DESTINY OR ARE W'E TO BECOME TENANTS IN
OUR OWN LAND? SEVENTEEN MONTHS APO IPUT TO THE AuSTRALIAN
PEOPLE CERTAIN PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO REVERSE THE
INSIDIOUS PROCESS BY WHICH THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT
ALLOWED CONTROL OF OUR ECONOMIC DESTINY TO PASS OUT
OF OUR HANDS. THE POLICIES OF THE OPPOSITION IN THIS 1