PM Transcripts

P. M. No. 7196,2
MINISTER FOR MGRATIONTO G. VERSEAS
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon R. G. Menzies
The Prime Minister, Mro Menzies, announced today that
the Minister for Immigration, Mr. Downer, would leave on Tuesday,
22nd May, for a quick visit to Britain and Europe.
Mr. Downer would study the problems of migration at
first hand and discuss future prospects and arrangements in a
number of countries with which Australia has migration
agreements, now due for revision.
En route, Mr. Downer would visit ' lashington briefly to
discuss general migration problems with United States authorities
preparatory to visiting the Geneva headquarters of the Inter-
Governmental Committee for European Migration and the United
Nations High Commission for Refugees.
His itinerary would include London, The Hague, Paris,
Cologne, Rome and Madrid. In Madrid, Mr. Downer would discuss
the operations of Australia's first migration mission in Spain
and investigate the likelihood of attracting a stream of suitable
Spanish migrants to this country in the coming years.
" Since Mr. Downer's last visit three years ago, there
have been considerable changes in the countries from which most
of our migrants come", Mr. Menzias said.
" These changes, which include the return of prosperity
to Europe and the development of the Common Market aims, are
altering the character of Australian immigration and demand
immediate attention in formulating our future plans.
" For, whatevertho changes ovcrs3as, Australia must
continue to maintain a steady flow of migrants at a satisfactory
level" Mr. Menzies said.
Mr. Downer would leave Sydney by Qantas at 7 p. m. on
Tuesday. The Ministo2 for Air, Mr. Bury, would act as Minis--, ei
for Immigration during Mr. Downorts absence.
~ CA3ER^ ti., t May, 1962.