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PRESS STATOLMT -- RELFASE 4 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 7.

Closer ties between ex-prisoner of war associations it

the Pacific region could flow fr.=m the triennial conference Pf the

New Zealand association, held this week.

The Minister for Civil Aviation (Mr. R.W. Swartz), who

-returned to Australia today after attending the conference, said

considerable interest had been shown in the feasibility of creating

a loose-knit organisation to channel repatriation and war pension

information and to strengthen fraternal links.

Mr. Swartz said a strong delegation from the Australian

Ex POW Association had attended the conference as aboservers.

While in New Zealand, Mr. Swartz also had discussions

on civil aviation matters.

