t-A A NNO DATE
M/ 44 23 March 1974
AUSTRALIAN DELEGATION TO 50TH ECAFE CONFERENCE
The Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Mro Whitlam, announced today that the Minister for
Science and Minister Assisting the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Mr. Morrison, would lead the Australian Delegation
to the 30th session of the UN Economic Commission for Asia
and the Far East ( ECAFE), to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka,
from 27 March to 8 April.
Mr. Whitlam said that the annual sessions of ECAFE

7
1 4 NQ DATE
M/ 41 21 March' o
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIIIINATION
The Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Mr Whitlam, today reaffirmed the Government's opposition to
racial discrimination and its commitment to the basic principles
of freedom and dignity for all people regardless of race, sex,
language, religion or ethnic origin.
Mr Whitlam said that in 1966 the United Nations General
Assembly had proclaimed 21 March as the International Day for the

6
A At
NQ DATE 21 1arch 1974
APPOINTMENT OF AUSTRALIA'S FIRST WOMAN AMBASSADOR
The first appointment of a woman career diplomat as an
Australian Ambassador overseas was announced today by t} n
Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr Whitlam. She is Miss Ruth L. Dobson, at present Counsellor at the
Australian Embassy in Athens. She is to become Australia's
first resident Ambassador to Denmark, succeeding Dr LoD. Thomson,
who, until now, has been dually accredited from The Hague.

Press Statement No. 207
21 March 1974
AMENDMENT OF THE NORTH WEST CAPE AGREEMENT
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, as Acting Minister
for Foreign Affairs, and the United States Ambassador,
Mr. Marshall Green, today signed and exchanged Notes relating
to amendments to the 1963 Agreement on the North West Cape
Naval Communication Station. The exchange of Notes represents
the first step by the Australian and United States Governments
in giving effect to the arrangements reached as a result of the

PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 1974
PRIME MINISTER: I haven't any announcements to make to you. You had
quite a number given to you by my colleagues after the Cabinet meeting
yesterday. There are some others to be announced but they require
notification to Premiers and meetings of the Executive Council so I
can't do those yet. Are there any questions?
QUESTION: I quote from a very penetrating article in today's " Age"
which I believe is part of your Bible. It concerns President Nyerere' s..

PRESS STATEMENT NO. 205
18 March 1974
COCKBURN SOUND SHIP REPAIR FACILITIES FOR STUDY
( Joint Statement by the Prime Minister, the Hon. E. G. Whitlam
and the Premier of Western Australia,
the Hon. J. T. Tonkin, M. L. A.)
An independent study to examine ship repair
requirements, both commerical and naval, on the West Australian
coast, is to be commissioned early this year.
The Australian and West Australian Governments will
commission a j-udy of the possibilities of long term, staged

EMBARGO: 8.00PM THURSDAY 14 MARCH 1974
GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER,
THE HON. E. G. WHITLAM, M. P.,
TO THE FIFTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF
THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS IN AUSTRALIA,
WENTWORTH HOTEL, SYDNEY,
14 MARCH 1974
I HOPE YOU WILL NOT THINK IT TOO PROVOCATIVE OF ME
IF I BEGIN MY ADDRESS TO THIS DISTINGUISHED COMPANY OF
CAPITALISTS BY QUOTING THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO.
THE LAST TIME I SPOKE TO SUCH A LARGE AND POWERFUL
GATHERING OF BUSINESSMEN WAS IN MELBOURNE LAST YEAR

THE PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
12 MARCH 1974
PRIME MINISTER: Ladies and gentlemen. I haven't got anything to
volunteer to you. Is there anything you want to ask me?
QUESTION: I refer to the return of power of the Labor Government
in Britain and your previously unsuccessful attempt to get
support from the Heath Administration for Australia's argument
with the French over nuclear testing in the Pacific. Have you had
any contact with the new Foreign Secretary, Mr Callaghan, about the

1_,) AU8TR A L A(
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 203
12 March 1974
PRIMARY INDUSTRY REFEREN~ CES SENT TO THE INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE
COMMDISSION
The Prime Minister announced toda-Y' that three references
dealing with: the apple and pear stabilisation plan
the dried vine fruits stabilisation plan
bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis slaughter
compensation
have been sent to the Industries Assistance Commission on 11 March
1974 for inquiry and report.
Because of legislation requirements there is a need

NEWS RELEASE
NQ DATE
M/ 38 11 March 1974
APPOINTMENT OF AMBASSAD) OR TO THE NETHERLANDS
The Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Mr Whitlam, announced today the appointment of
Mr F. J. Blakeney, as Australian Ambassador to the
Netherlands to succeed Dr L. D. Thomson, M. V. O.
Mr Blakeney was born in 1913 and was educated at the Marist
Brothers Colleges, Darlinghurst and Mittagong, and the University
of Sydney. After Var service in the AMF and RAAF from 1941-45
Mr Blakeney joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1946.