PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: 1 L 1Bj RV PM. No. 132/ 1967
SENIOR GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt
Sir Edwin Hicks, Secretary to the Department of Defence,
will become Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand early next
year. He will be succeeded by Sir Henry Bland, at present Secretary
to the Department of Labour and National Service. S11ir Henry's appointment
will be from 3th January, 1968.
Sir Edwin has distinguished himself as one of the Commonwealth's
most able administrators during his eleven years as Permanent
Head of the Department of Defence and, prior to that, when S3ecretary to the
Department of Air from 1951 to 1956. During a period of increased defence
activity, Sir Edwin served in the finest traditions of the Public Service and
the Government Is fortunate that his valued service and advice will be
retained through his acceptance now of the post of High Commissiloner to
New Zealand. Sir Edwin's intimate knowledge of a wide spectrum of
Government policy should prove invaluable In his new post.
The new Secretary to the Department of Defence, Sir Henry
Bland, Is also one of Australia's foremost administrators. A graduate in
law from Sydney University, he was formerly Agent-General for New South
" Hales in London. He joined the Department of Labour and National Service
in 19,46 and, in 1952, at the age of 42, became Cecretary to that Department.
S ir Henry has led numerous A us tralian delegations to conferences of the
International Labour Organization and has had wide and lengthy experience
in public administration. It Is expected that Cabinet will tomorrow have discussions
directed to. the appointment of a successor to the post of Fecretary to the
Department of Labour and National Service.
CANBERRA, 6 December, 1967