STATEMENT BY THE AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Australian Minister for National Development

(Sir Reginald Swartz) on 8th June addressed a gathering of

representatives from Keizai Doyukai (the Japan Committee for

Economic Development). This talk followed discussions earlier

in the day with the Minister in charge of the Science and

Technology Agency (which is responsible, among other things,

for atomic energy) and with the President of the Industrial

Bank of Japan.

In his talk with Keizai Doyukai, the Minister said that

he was aware of the importance of resources, and'particularly

energy resources, to the development of the Japanese economy.

Sir Reginald indicated that Australia had substantial reserves

of many of the minerals which were basic to energy and would

be able to continue to play an important role in providing

resources to Japan,

Sir Reginald also pointed out, that although Japan relied

heavily on raw materials from other countries and was trying to

devise policies to meet any problems arising from such reliance,

Japan should be careful to recognise Ã¢ÂÂ 'the aspirations of the

resources-supplying countries such as Australia. As an example

of such aspirations, Sir Reginald Swartz mentioned the desire

for more processing of resources in the countries having the

resources where this is shown to be economic.

Copies of Sir Reginald’s address were made available in

Toyko to the Australian press.

8th JUNE, 1972

