PM Transcripts

NOT TO BE PtYBL ISHEDt BROADCAST OR CABLED P.!../ 33/ 1964
BEFORE 0030 HOURS FRIDAY, 15TH MAY.
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER
THlE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR ROBERT MENZIES, KT, CH, QC, MP
I announce that the Governor-General, His
Excellency the Right Honourable Viscount De L'Isle, V. C.,
K. St has received The Queen's
permission to relinquish the office of Governor-General in the Aust.
autumn of 1965. Although his retirement is still some time
away, the Governor-General and I have each felt it to be
desirable that some public indication be given now to His
Excellency's intention to retire, so that, as and when
necessary, he may lay his plans for the future. He will,
subject to his period of leave in the United Kingdom between
S June and August, carry out his full duties as Governor-
General until the time of his retirement.
The Government received the news of His
Excellency's retirement with great regret. It would have
wished, if circumstances had permitted, to arrange an
extension of His Excellency's appointment so that he
might continue for a further period of years with the work
he has so well and with such a high sense of duty carried
out as Governor-General of Australia. His Excellency's
retirement conforms, however, with the understanding which
0 he had with the Government at the time of his appointment,
to the effect that he would be unable to accept office
for a period of more than four years.
Lord De L'Isle came to Australia with his wrife,
the late Viscountess De L'Isle, in mid-1961.
CANBERRA.