PM Transcripts

Transcripts from the Prime Ministers of Australia

Menzies, Robert

Period of Service: 19/12/1949 - 26/01/1966
Find more information on Menzies, Robert on the:
Release Date:
12/01/1965
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
1036
Document:
00001036.pdf 1 Page(s)
Released by:
  • Menzies, Sir Robert Gordon
FOR PRESS: P.M.NO. 2/1965 OVERSEAS TRIP BY MINISTER FOR BEFENCE STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER, THE RT. HON. J. MCEWEN

6 5 / O0
EMBARGO : NOTr TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST
BEFORE~ 7 PM ( EST)
FOR PRESS: OVERSEAS TRIP BY MINISTER FOR D) EFENCE
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. McEwen
Mr. John McEwen, Acting Prime Minister, announced
today that the Minister for Defence Senator Shane Paltridge,
would be leaving Australia on 19th January for a visit to a
number of South-East Asian countries, Japan and the United
States. In South-East Asia the Minister will visit Malaysia,
Thailand and Vietnam.
Mr. McEwen said that this would be the first
time that Senator Paltridge had had an opportunity since
becoming Minister for Defence to visit South-East Asia and
to acquaint himself at first hand with the problems relating
to Australia's defence interests there, In Malaysia he
would have discussions with members of the Government on
defence matters of common concern. He will also visit units
of the three Australian Services which are stationed in
Malaysia. In Thailand he will have discussions with members
of the Government and will call upon the Secretary-General
of SEATO at the Organization's headquarters in Bangkok,
He will also visit the R. A. A. F. unit at Ubon.
In South Vietnam he will be discussing with
members of the Government and the United States representatives
there the present situation created by aggression from
Communist-controlled North Vietnam. He hopes also to visit
some of the Australian Service personnel in South Vietnam*
Mr, MoEwen said that during his visit to Japan,
Senator Paltridge hoped to meet Ministers and Service
officers, In the United States the Minister will have
discussions with the Secretary of Defence, Mr. McNamara the
Secretary of State, Mr. Rusk, and other defence authoriiies.
The Minister will also inspect various Defence installations
during his visit including Defoe's shipbuilding yards where
the Charles F. Aclams destroyers ordered by Australia are
under construction and also General Dynamics at Fort Worth
where the F111A strike aircraft, which is being purchased
by Australia, is under construction.
Mr. McEwepn said that on Senator Paltridge's
departure, he would be Acing Minister for Defence until
the return of the Prime Minister.
CANBERBA, 12th January, 1965

1036