PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 58/ 196-1
R. W. MILLER TANKER
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir
Robert Menzies
" The matter of the conditions on which a
foreign-built ship should or should not be permitted
to be licensed under our Navigation Act to trade on the
Australian coast raises quite a number of difficult
questions including the future of the Australian
shipbuilding industry," Sir Robert Menzies said in
Canberra today. " Several of my colleagues will be
submitting papers to Cabinet on various aspects of
the problem. The formulation of policy will not be an
easy exercise when it is understood that there are such
significant aspects as shipbuilding, foreign exchange,
costs and the overall fuel position to be taken into
consideration. I cannot at present anticipate what
policy will be evolved." 1
" Pending the formulation and announcement
of its policy on these matters, the Government has decided
to allow R, W, Miller Co. Pty. Ltd. to import the oil
tanker MERCHANT KNIGHT under the Customs ( prohibited
Imports) Regulations and to license this ship under the
Navigation Act, on the conditions that the tanker will
be operated on the Australian coast and under Australian
Articles. Having regard to the fact that tankers now
operate from time to time along the Australian coast under
overseas registration and manning conditions, we cannot
reasonably refuse R. W. Miller Coets present application,
which is to import a tanker, register it in Australia,
and operate it under Australian manning conditions."
Sir Robert emphasised that the decision to
allow the import of this tanker should not be regarded
as creating a precedent. No other application to import
a tanker would be considered until the whole position
had been thoroughly examined by the Government.
CANBERRA, 26th July, 1963.