Document LGq7M5GzVOr355z2OerdZ4L7

i ( AIRMAIL, Australian Blue Asbestos Limited minks a Mills Witte no m. w.a. 89 ST. GEORGE'S TERRACE PERTH Western Australia CbCAAAtMIC * *A*U, tetMJ '"lucasbestos- pert O.P.O. Box NO. L9C Telephones bass* B 223 The Managing Director, Australian Blue Asbestos Ltd*, SYDNEY* Dear Sir, VISITORS; We have been advised by the L*C*L* Secretary that Mr* and Mrs* Menzies and party will be touring the North West during May* At the moment the itinerary is as follows : Arrive Wittenoom 5*3 Po* on May* 17th* Civic Reception by Road Board - 8 p*m. Visit mine and mill - 8*30 a*m* Sunday* 18th* Leave Wittenoom - 11*00 a*m* Sunday, loth* Vie are trying to have the time at Wittenoom extended slightly* We understand that accompanying the Prime Minister there will be representatives from most of the leading Australian newspapers, A*B*C*, A*B*C* Television and Fox Movietone and, possibly, others* It is assumed that you : do not wish to place any limitations on the activities of ' these people* Information will, of course, be limited to that usually given. r sS .. ,, It is suggested that we give the Prime Ministe 4 short resume of the main features concerning our project anc -N . * l/ a a **we submit the attached sheet for your . The C.S*R. Co* Ltd. publicity officer consideration. may have other However, suggestic .-* In addition, a graph could be attached shoving production, & * * value and export earnings for the last three years* We have been asked to treat this matter as confidential until it is made public in the press* v.* Director AUSTRALIAN BLITS ASBESTOS LTD ESTABLISHED - 1943 witif full approval and support of Commonwealth and W*AS Governments* to be used locally, 1958 2,600 " 260,000. Principal markets Other Markets America - 7,000-tons, Italy - 3>000-tons Japan - 1,500-tons. India, Spain, Fortugal, Singapore, Thailand, France, Germany, England, Argentine, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland Czeko-Slovakia and Poland. Freight rate per ton Wittenoom/Fremantle - 14. Eauivalent freights paid by African competitors from their mines to their port of distribution - 5o Main use for our asbestos - Asbestos Cement Pressure Pipe, Asbestos Cement Sheets, Insulation and Fireproofing. Number of people directly emnloved at Wittenoom - 330. Est. number of employees in 1959 - 380 to 400 Number of people in Wittenoom now 1000 approx Average earnings per employee - 1,600 p.a. (to be checked Main Economic Disabilities - High Freights, high wages, heav; Pay Roll Tax because of higher vases paid, District Allowances and fare concessions to employees. Recommended forms of assistance reauired to reduce costs of production and to make the industry competit! on a long term basis ?- luced in Asbestos Person*' i/- \s c.***s: Abrams lead s i i/ - 2? (a) Freight Subsidies (b) Substantial increases in Income Tax Zone Allowances. (c) Abolition of Fay Roll Tax* (d) Improvements to port at Fort Redland to enable- overseas iiips to call and so avoid freight costs to Fremantle on at least some of our production. Produced ;n Asbactc? !3er*^n&| Injury Csrc*:;.br~v : j copied h: ; / s#