PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE ACTING PUITME MT NISTER, THE RT. HON.
J. McEWEN, AT CANBERRA ON THURSDAY, 14) TH NAY, 1959, AT 5 P. M.
QUESTION:
MR. McEi-EN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEJEN:
L1ESTION:
MR. McETO. EN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEIVEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McETJEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN: Mr, McEwen, have you had any communication from the
British Government yet on the use of Woomera for
space research for launching satellites?
Yes. I think we can say that we know of the British
Government's plans, which have not reached the point
of planning projection yet planning the instrumentcarrying
device. W~ ell, we are in Woomera in
partnership with the U. K. G overnment. I don't think
the point has been reached at which there is any
necessity, I believe, to decide where this operation
would take place. But if, for this instrumentcarrying
device, Woomera were judged to be the right
place, of course, I have no doubt we would be
completely co-operative.
i~ ell, anyway, it has been made clear to the British
Government that if they wish to use Woomera for this,
they can do so?
I think it is clear i it does not have to be made
clear if that isnt too Irish.
The Americans put up a proposal some time ago that
they might be allowed to increase the tracking
facilities at Woomera. Has anything happened on that?
I can't answer with detailed precision, but, to the
extent that the Americans want to establish tracking
facilities here, there would be complete co-operation
here. Following the visit last week of the Lockheed and
Nor'throp people to speak to our Defence people, can
you say whether the Government is looking to making a
decision about these various matters on aircraft
replacement, say, within any specific time? Have
they got any time period that they are thinking of
in which they are looking to come to a point on it4
I don't think it can be said that they have a precise
date decided. But these things, clearly, take so long
to mature that I think it can be said that the
appropriate defence authorities are studying what type
of aircraft will replace the current type.
You would not say that they were looking to being
ready to be clear in their own minds, say, in two
months or three months or any period such as that?
I would think not so in so narrow a bracket of time
as that; no.
Mr. McEwen, this week in the last few days the
Minister for Civil Aviation introduced a Bill, which
has now been shelved, about airport controls and
drinking liquor and so on. Can you give us any
guidance about the Government's intentions about
that matter?
Well, I think that the frank answer is that the
Government believed particularly in respect of
international travel, that it was desirable that we
should have facilities that are common in today's
world for international travellers. And the legislation
that was introduced conforms to that general
QUESTION:
MR. McE'dEN:
COIMENT:
MR. McEWIEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McE-dEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEdEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
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MR. McEWEN:
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MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN: objective. Well, it is common knowledge that it did
not find favour in its existing form in the Senate,
and the Government has withdrawn it in deference to
the Senate and will re-study the situation.
It is abandoned?
No. It would be wrong to s-: y that it is abandoned.
It is not legislation if I may remind you that is
exclusively confined to alcoholic liquor, although the
searchlight was turned on alcoholic liquor in the
facilities and services.
The business concessions.
W4ell, business concessions se;--rns to be a business
enterprise. But, a packet of cigarettes a whole
variety of things that a travcller may need.
In shelving it, has the Government been infl'. uenced by
any temperance protests any Rechabite movement or
anything like that?
Well, that really has not arisen. I think it has been
influenced by the Senators.
As I understood it, Sir, the basic idea behind the
Bill was that it should help to make airports pay,
and the Government is still holding to that principle
and wants to go al~ 1ead to make airports pay by
establishing franchises there in the future. Is that
r ight?
I would not have thought that making airports pay was
a primary objective of the legislation. I think it
was a service to the travelling public that was the
primary thing in mind.
When do you hope to re-introduce it -in the Budget
session? I would not put a point of time on something that
was unacceptable in its existing form; clearly, it
must become a matter of discussions. When you engage
in those kind of discussions, who can put a time on it?
Do you mean discussions with the nine" 6 o'clock closing
hours" Senators?
No. Is that their objection Sir, the time factor?
No; I don't think it can be quite narrowed down to
that. I think it is a broader objection that I don't
find myself able to completely describe, but
sufficient to justify some negotiations.
These negotiations, will they involve talks with the
States? Is there any attempt, in other words, to
reconcile Federal and State laws on liquor?
Well, I think the discussions will be ;. iith the
Senators. If the Senators have views on the interests
of the Stizt--es, that clearly would bring the whole
thing into the field.
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION: In other words, you intend, if necessary, to override
the States.
Oh no; I am not saying that. The legislation, in
the form introduced, would have established on
Commonwealth property as I comprehend it hours
of trading that may, in circumstances, have been
broader than the hours of the States. Although in
respect of alcoholic liquor it could have been through
the operation of bona fide laws in the State, it would
not necessarily have meant that the concessionaire on
the Commonwealth property would be operating wider
than a hotel in the State could have.
Mr. McEwen, is it not also true that no State
Government could license any lqiuor sales on
Commonwealth airports without the permission of the
Commonwealth?
Yes. Well, you have the qualification without well,
I think that is true without the permission of the
Commonwealth. On another airline matter: It was reported that
Cabinet this week discussed the proposal for reorganizing
the routes to New Guinea. Could you tell
us anything about what was proposed or what was done
there?
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION: MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION: I think my memory has let me right down.( Laughter.)
Is there anything you can say yet, Sir, on the Dairying
Committee?
No; I am sorry. We are not in a position to make an
announcement on the Dairying Committee. But Mr.
Adermann and myself and some colleagues are really
vigorously at work trying to put together the kind of
committee that the Government believes to be acceptable.
I think as soon as the House has gone into recess? we
will have rather more time. But we have been actively
at work over the last couple of weeks. The calibre of
the people we want consequent upon the importance
that we attach to this committee, is not easy to pick
up if you really want good people.
Have you decided Sir, how many people you will have
on the committee4
The thinking is that we would have five people on the
committee. That is our present objective. It is
subject to gaining five people who would be
sufficiently representative.
From the various States?
Well, when I say " representative", I don't mean
representatives of States or of interests. But I
would like it to be clear representative out of
their experience and knowledge. And, clearly, this
problem is so geographically wide-spread, we would
want a pretty wide-spread representation to bring
the actual practical knowledge to the committee.
Mr. McEwen going back to the question of defence
aircraft, f got the impression that both Northrop
and the other group Lockheed would be interested
in investing money in the Australian industry, to
make planes in Australia and also to use this as a
service area to service SEATO. Has that proposition
been put to the Government?
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
COMMENT: MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION: MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN: ' dell, it has not been put to the Government qua
government. It may and I don't know it may have
been put to some level of government; it has not,
certainly, been put to the Cabinet.
What would the reaction be to that, as a Government?
I think the Governi-nent's rel, ctl'on would ho~ ve to await flie
particular proposition. It would, on the one hand,
have its own substantive merits, as against which,
we have existing aircraft manufacturing establishments
here, which we would not forget exist, of course.
This proposal was that they would invest money in
the existing aircraft.
Ohl, yes. Well, then that clearly introduces the
ownership of the other aircraft interests, as well
as the concern of the Government.
Mr. McEwen, has the Government's deliberation on the
QANTAS hotel project reached any conclusions?
No. The position is as I broadly described it last
time. We have received intimations from private
interests more than one that they would be
prepared to build a hotel to enter into an
arrangement with QANTAS, etc. As QANTAS are the
people who need the hotel accommodation, we have, in
the fLirst place, asked QANTAS to go into discussion
with these various people. But that I make it
clear does not mean that we have farmed the decision
out to QANTAS.
There have been reports, following developments such
as the possibly large wheat carry-over or the much
obviously large wheat carry-over this year, and the
fact that the world wheat prices, Ii think, as of now
are somewhat below our domestic support price, that
the WJheat Stabilisation Pool could run out of money
in the first year of this current wheat stabilisation
plan. Is that speculation on the r~ ight track. Does
it look like running out of money?
Frankly, I think it is a little too early to speculate
to that extent. I have seen some evidence that in
the last few weeks export wheat prices have slightly
hardened, as a matter of fact. And I really think
that before the Northern Hemisphere crop really comes
in to sight, it is too early to speculate on values
or the actualities of disposals.
What would be the position if it did run out of money?
Would the Government then have to find the money out
of its own resources to meet its commitments under
the 100 million bushels?
That's right. That is the provision of the Wheat
Stabilisation legislation. The wheatgrowers have to
put up to a certain formula their own money. When
that runs out, or if that runs out, the Treasury
stands behind the guarantee. The quid pro quo, of
course, has been that the wheat industry has agreed
to sell to the Australian public at cost of production
during the last what is is? more than ten years.
In fact, the selling price to the Australian public
would be much more than œ 100O million less than the
selling price would have been during that period if
it had been export parity.
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION: MR. McEVJEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWJEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEtWEN:
COMMENT: QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McE WEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN: Mr. McEwen, coming back to the QANTAS hotel: Are
these groups that you mentioned Sydney groups?
Not only Sydney groups.
Could you give an indication from where they do come?
I was just thinking of ethics. If you will let me
pause for a moment. I think I can say frankly
no, I won't identify them. People who write to me
and make a proposition no, I won't reveal them.
Mr. McEwen, will there be any further re-examination
of the New Guinea tax proposals as a result of the
deputation that saw you today?
Yes. Mr. Holt, Mr. Hasluck and I met the deputation.
Vie have heard in considerable length and detail
certain criticisms. We have undertaken to consult our
colleagues, which may not involve a full and formal
meeting of the Cabinet, but an effective consultation
on what has been said. It broadly involves two
considerations, I think: First, a request that there
be a deferment of the introduction, or, alternatively
that there be some modifications in detail of the Bill
before the House. And those are the two things that
the Government will have to the Ministers will have
to consider.
No suggestion to drop it altogether from the
deputation. I think it would be an exaggeration to say it was
suggested to drop it altogether. I think that the
most extreme suggestion was that we should hold it up,
pending a public enquiry; that was the most extreme
suggestion. Is there any possibility of a public enquiry, Sir?
Well, that would be to pre-judge the consultations
with my colleagues to say so.
Mr. McEwen, have you a date in mind for the resumption
of Parliament?
I think Mr. Holt has announced something of the
Budget, hasn't he?
Not a firm date that I am aware of.
For the Premiers' Conference, Sir?
I'm sorry. I thought you said " the resumption of
Parliament". No, not a firm date, no.
Mr. Holt, this morning, appeared to have some hope
of income tax cuts in the next Budget. Do you share
that hope?
Well, I find hope is cheap and encouraging. ( Laughter.)
But I could not be more explicit than that.
Can you say when Cabinet will have its first meeting
on the Budget?
No, I can't say precisely; but I think we have to
get the Premniers' Conference and the Loan Council
behind us before we can fix the date of that,
2"
a
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN:
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MR. McEW" EN:.
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MR. McEI4EN:
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MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION: MR. McEWEN:
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MR. McEWEN:
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MR. McEWEN:
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MR. McEWEN:
QUESTION:
MR. McEWEN: The Premiers, Conference and the Loan Council how
soon?
Well in a month to six weeks, I think.
Is there any Cabinet thinking at this stage on the
Budget? I wouldn't be surprised.
On that, Sir, is it true that you are all quite happy
about the prospects of revenue increasing in the coming
financial year on the existing rates. In other words,
there was a period, I gather when it looked as though
revenue might fall again, bu~ now, because of the
increase in wool prices and so on, it looks as though
revenue will be increasing.
I think I would be correct in saying that the thinking
is that the level of economic activity is pretty
stable now and it is that which indicates the revenue
that current rates
Would it be up higher in the 59/ 60 than they are now?
Well, the trend at the same level of activity with
a growing population and so on, it tends always to
increase proportionately.
That alone could be encouraging, couldn't it?
The liabilities tend to increase commensurately, you
know. A rather more domestic question: I understand there
was a luncheon between the Cabinet and the Liberal
backbenchers. Was that your idea?
Oh no, it was not; and your fact really is not right.
Isn't it?
No. The Liberal Ministers gave a luncheon to the
Liberal Party. The Country Party was not so liberal as
the Liberal Party; the Country Party gave a dinner to
the Country Party the other evening.
A sort of end-of-session party, was it?
Just that, yes. We had a get-together; we had a
buffet dinner on Tuesday evening; and the Liberals
had a luncheon today.
Do you know whether you will be tabling this Economic
Survey thing to-night?
It will be tabled to-night.
Mr. McEwen, with reference to the Foreign Ministers'
Conference taking place at Geneva, can you say whether
the Government, at this stage, hopes or believes that
it will lead to a Summit Conference?
I think that the Government has always hoped that a
foundation wou) A be established which would justify
a Summit Conference.
With the compliments of:
HUGH DASH,
PRESS SECRETARY TO THE PRIME MINISTER.