Harold Edward Holt , (August 5, 1908 - December 17, 1967), was an Australian politician who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Australia, ruling from 1966 until his drowned death in 1967. He was the leader Liberal Party during that time.
Holt was born in Sydney, but has lived in Melbourne since a young age. He was the first prime minister born in the 20th century. He studied law at the University of Melbourne and finally opened his own legal practice. Holt entered parliament in the 1935 elections, standing for United Australia Party (UAP). He was a protégé © gÃÆ' Â © Robert Menzies, and was added to the cabinet when Menzies became prime minister in 1939. Aged just 30 at the time of his appointment, he held a series of small portfolios until the defeat of the government in 1941, under both Menzies and Arthur Fadden. Holt's tenure was disrupted by a brief task in the Australian Army, which ended when he was summoned back to the cabinet after the death of three ministers in the Canberra air disaster of 1940. He joined the new Liberal Party after its formation in 1945.
When Menzies regained the prime minister in 1949, Holt became a senior figure in the new government. As Minister of Immigration (1949-56), he expanded the post-war immigration scheme and loosened the White Australia policy for the first time. He is also influential as Minister of Manpower and National Services (1949-58), where he handles some industrial relations disputes. Holt was elected vice-chair of the Liberal Party in 1956, and after the 1958 election replaced Arthur Fadden as Treasurer. He oversaw the creation of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian dollar decimal, but was blamed for the credit crunch that almost weighed on the 1961 Election Coalition. However, the economy soon recovered and Holt maintained its position as the heir of Menzies.
Holt became prime minister in January 1966, elected without resistance as a Liberal leader following Menzies' retirement. He fought in elections later that year, winning a landslide. The Holt government continues the dismantling of the White Australia policy, changing the constitution to grant federal government responsibility for indigenous affairs, and to bring Australia out of sterling. Holt promotes greater engagement with Asia and the Pacific, and makes visits to a number of Asian countries. His government expanded Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, and maintained a close relationship with the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson. When visiting the White House, Holt stated that he was "along the way with LBJ", a statement that was not well received at home.
After nearly two years in office, Holt disappeared while swimming in Cheviot Beach, Victoria, in difficult conditions. His body never recovered, and he was declared dead in absentia ; his departure spawned a number of conspiracy theories. Holt was the third Australian prime minister who died at the office, and was replaced by John McEwen on a temporary basis and later by John Gorton. His death was commemorated in a number of ways, including the establishment of the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Center.
Early life
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Holt was born on August 5, 1908 at his parents' home in Stanmore, Sydney, New South Wales. He was the first of two sons born to Olive May (nÃÆ' Â © e Williams, formerly Pearce) and Thomas James Holt; his brother Clifford was born in 1910. On his father's side, Holt was descended from James Holt, a cobbler from Birmingham, England, who arrived in New South Wales in 1829. The father's grandfather, Thomas Holt Sr., had a large farm. property in Nubba, and twice elected as mayor near Wallendbeen. Holt's father was trained as a school teacher in Sydney and eventually found work as a physical education teacher at Cleveland Street School in Surry Hills. Ms. Holt was born in Eudunda, South Australia, and has Cornish, English, German and Irish descent; his sister is actress Vera Pearce. She was pregnant at the time of their marriage, which occurred in January 1908.
Education
In 1914, Holt's parents moved to Adelaide, where his father became a licensee of a hotel in Payneham. He and his brother live in Sydney, living with an uncle and attending Randwick Public School. In late 1916, Holt was sent to live with the grandparents of the country, where he briefly attended the Nubba State School. He returned to Sydney the following year, and for three years enrolled at Abbotsholme College, a private school in Killara; his parents split up around that time. In 1920, Holt started up to Wesley College, Melbourne. He is a popular and talented student, winning a scholarship in his final year and graduating second in his class. Holt generally spent the school holidays with his relatives in Nubba or with schoolmates, rather than with his parents - his father started work as a talent agent, toured the country on the Tivoli circuit, while his mother died in 1925. He was 16 years old at the time, and was unable to attend the funeral.
In 1927, Holt began studying law at the University of Melbourne, staying at Queen's College on a scholarship. He represents universities in cricket and soccer, and is also active in student organizations, serving as president of Law Students' Society and Queen's College social club. Holt won prizes for speeches and essays, and became a member of the inter-university debating team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1930. Holt's father - who lives in London - was invited to continue his studies in England, but he refused the offer.
Legal career
Holt presents an article about his position with the firm Fink, Best, & amp; Miller. He was accepted at Victoria's Bar at the end of 1932, and opened his own law practice the following year. However, clients during the Depression period are still scarce and often underpaid, so Holt lives in boardinghouses and often relies on friendliness of friends. Referring to his family connections in the show business, he finally accepted an offer to become secretary of the Victorian Cinematograph Exhibitor 'Association, a film industry lobby group. In this capacity he appeared several times before the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Arbitration Court. It had a positive influence on his own practice, and he finally took two partners, first Jack Graham and then James Newman. Holt, Graham & amp; Newman was dissolved in 1963, following a financial dispute and then reorganized as Holt, Newman, & amp; Holt, with Holt's son, Sam as a new addition. Holt's involvement in the practice declined as he entered politics and stopped completely in 1949, although he did not formally retire until he took over the post of prime minister.
Video Harold Holt
early political career
In 1933, Holt joined the Young Nationalist, the wing of the Unified Australian Party. He cultivates friendships with Mabel Brookes, and through Brookes gets acquainted with senior members of the influential Australian Women's National League (AWNL). He also gained the protection of Robert Menzies, with whom he shared the same political background and views. In the 1934 federal election, Holt stood for the UAP in the Yarra Division. It was a safe place for the Labor Party, held by party leader (and former prime minister) James Scullin. Holt lost much, as expected, but was praised for his campaign. Early next year, he competes Clifton Hill - another safe Labor chair - in the state election of Victoria, losing to Bert Cremean. Holt was eventually elected to parliament in his third attempt, winning a federal election in August 1935; his predecessor, George Maxwell, has died in the office. He won the UAP election against five other candidates, a victory that was Smith's Weekly linked to his "political godmother" at AWNL. His new electorate, the Fawkner Division, is centered on the eastern suburbs of the rich city of Melbourne.
Holt was 27 years old when he entered parliament, making him the youngest member. He keeps a relatively low profile in his first few years, but talks about various topics. When Robert Menzies became prime minister in April 1939, he made Holt one of four ministers without a portfolio. Its inclusion is made possible by the collapse of the coalition with the Party of State - previously a certain number of positions have been reserved for Members of the State Parliament, but the new ministry consists only of members of UAP. Although Holt does not officially have a portfolio, he effectively serves as assistant minister for Richard Casey, who heads the Department of Supply and Development. He was given responsibility for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and also acted for the period as the Minister of Trade and Customs and the Minister of Civil and Air Aviation while the petahana were abroad. Holt's first task as government minister ended in March 1940, when a coalition with the State Party was re-established. His successor is Arthur Fadden, another prime minister candidate.
Maps Harold Holt
World War II
Holt enrolled in Militia in February 1939, joining a part-time artillery unit for business and professionals. He was given unlimited leave during ministerial ministry. In May 1940, without resigning from a chair, Holt was registered with the Australian Armed Forces with a view to becoming a full-time soldier. Some of his parliamentary colleagues did the same at various points in the war. Holt was posted to the 2/4 Field Regiment, holding the shooter rank. He had been offered a commission as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, but was rejected for lack of experience. In a press statement, Holt said "as the youngest member of the House, I can not be happy in my position if I am not prepared to sacrifice and take an active part". He was sent to Puckapunyal for training, and is expected to be sent to North Africa or Palestine.
His brief military career ended as a result of the Canberra air disaster on August 13, killing three senior government ministers. Menzies called early elections for September 21, which resulted in a hanging parliament and a UAP-State minority government. Holt was given leave from the army to campaign, and won re-election with a large majority. Menzies then asked him to return to the cabinet, which he agreed to. Holt was sworn in as Minister of Labor and National Services on October 28, and officially resigned from the army on the same day. He was assigned to the new Ministry of Labor and National Services, which took over most of the Ministry's previous responsibilities. He also became a member of the bipartisan Advisory Board, although he personally supported the formation of a national unity government with the Labor Party.
As the minister of labor, Holt's primary duty is to prevent industrial disputes from disrupting the war effort. He met with trade union leaders and entrepreneurial groups, and ensured their agreement to simplify the arbitration process when the war was in progress. He has also been appointed Minister responsible for Scientific and Industrial Research, which gives him responsibility for CSIR and his war efforts. In April 1941, Holt sponsored and supervised the part of the Child Endowment Act , which introduced the universal child endowment scheme; the newspaper labeled him "godfather for a million Australian children". When leadership problems hit the Coalition later in the year, Holt initially supported Menzies. However, he and five cabinet colleagues eventually turned their allegiance to Arthur Fadden, the leader of the Party of State, believing in this way to ensure a stable government. Menzies felt he had been betrayed, but forgave Holt and received assurances that he had acted in the interest of the state.
Holt maintained his portfolio in the Fadden Administration, which lasted only 40 days before being defeated by a confidence movement in October 1941. Upon entering the opposition, he kept a fairly low profile for the rest of the war, except for his membership of the Combined. War Expenditure Committee. He was criticized by some for not rejoining the army, and in the 1943 election was opposed by Brigadier William Cremor, whose campaign was funded by Sydney businessmen (including Keith Murdoch). He lost most of his main voice, but only experienced a small swing on the number of two preferred parties. Menzies returned as a UAP leader in September 1943, and Holt was initially a candidate for vice-chairmanship; he retreated after former prime minister Billy Hughes entered the race. Holt supported the creation of the Liberal Party, but played a small part in the practical aspect of its formation. He became an official member of the new party in February 1945.
Postwar career minister minister
After eight years in opposition, the Coalition won a federal election in December 1949 and Menzies started his term as Prime Minister. In the redistribution held before the election, Holt's majority at Fawkner almost disappeared. He was transferred to Higgins, one of the few new seats made in the redistribution of 1949. The chair was made as a secure Liberal seat; it has been carved out of the richer part of Fawkner. Holt won easily. He was appointed to the prestigious portfolio of the Minister of Manpower and National Services (1949-1958; he previously served in this portfolio 1940-41) and Minister of Immigration (1949-1956), as he was heralded in the press as "a certain successor to Menzies and candidate for Prime Minister ". At Immigration, Holt went on and expanded a massive immigration program initiated by his predecessor ALP, Arthur Calwell. However, he showed a more flexible and caring attitude than Calwell, who was a strong supporter of White Australia's policy. One of his first acts was to intervene in the so-called "Gamboa case", involving a Filipino immigrant with an Australian wife and children. Calwell had told Gamboa to be deported under Removal of War Time Refugees in 1949 , but Holt overturned the decision and let Gamboa return to Australia to live.
Holt excelled in the Manpower portfolio and has been described as one of the best Labor ministers since the Federation. Although the conditions are ripe for industrial unrest - Communist influence in the union movement then culminates, and right-wing factions in the Cabinet openly excite for confrontation with unions - a combination of strong economic growth and Holt's enlightened approach to industrial relations see the number of working hours lost due to the strike falls dramatically, from over two million in 1949 to just 439,000 in 1958. He also had ministerial responsibility for the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.
Holt fosters greater cooperation between governments, courts, employers and unions. He enjoys good relations with trade union leaders such as Albert Monk, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions; and Jim Healy, head of the Coastal Coastal Workers' Federation, and he earned a reputation for tolerance, restraint and willingness to compromise, despite his controversial decision to use troops to take over cargo facilities during a water dispute in Bowen, Queensland in September 1953 provoking bitter criticism.
Holt's personal profile and political standing grew throughout the 1950s. He served on many foreign committees and delegates, he was appointed Private Advisor in 1953, and in 1954 he was named one of six best-dressed men in Australia. In 1956, he was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and became Home Leader, and since then, he is generally recognized as the heir of Menzies.
Treasurer (1958-1966)
In December 1958, after Arthur Fadden's retirement, Holt succeeded him as Treasurer. Holt had little knowledge or interest in economics, but the work strengthened his position in lieu of Menzies' possibility. As Treasurer, Holt relies heavily on the advice of Finance Minister Roland Wilson. His accomplishments include major reforms to the banking system (derived from Fadden) Ã, - including the establishment of the Reserve Bank of Australia - and the planning and preparation for the introduction of the decimal currency. It was Holt who convinced the Cabinet to call the new currency "dollar" rather than "kingdom".
The inherited economic Holt grew strongly, helped by the opening of a new iron ore mine. However, in 1959, inflation went at 4.5% and Treasury was was. Holt was reluctant to act, but in November 1960 introduced a package of tax change deflations. He also grudgingly agreed on a rate hike by the Reserve Bank. The credit hack was called "Holt Jolt". The economy was in recession, and unemployment rose to three per cent, which was considered high at the time and contrary to government policy on full employment.
The dismissal of credit brought the Coalition to near-death in 1961, with the Coalition restored with a dangerous majority of seats. There was a call for Holt being fired, but he retained Menzies support. He then described 1960-61 as "the most difficult year of my public life". Most of the deflationary measures were reversed in 1962, and unemployment fell to 1.5 percent in August 1963. In the next budget, Holt retreated to his holiday home in Queensland while it was being prepared. He said that the 1965 budget "has had the best acceptance of everything in the series I presented". Prime Minister (1966-1967) >
Holt was sworn in as prime minister on January 26, 1966, after retiring Robert Menzies six days earlier. He won a leadership election without a fight, with William McMahon elected as his deputy. His oath was delayed by the death of Defense Minister Shane Paltridge; He and Menzies both served as bearers of the corpse at Paltridge state cemetery on 25 January. Holt is the first Australian prime minister born in the 20th century and the first born after the federation. He was nearly fourteen years younger than his predecessor, but, at the age of 57, was still the fourth oldest man to occupy the office. He has been a member of parliament for more than 30 years before becoming prime minister, a record surpassed only by his 33-year-old successor John McEwen. In style, Holt is more informal and contemporary than Menzies, and his wife accompanies him into the political spotlight. He gave the media unprecedented access levels, and was the first prime minister to conduct regular press conferences and provide regular television interviews. His press secretary, Tony Eggleton, accompanied him almost every time he traveled.
The initial cabinet of Holt is almost unchanged from its predecessor. John Gorton and Les Bury were promoted to replace Menzies and Paltridge, but no other composition changes. Nor was there any major change in the portfolio, beyond McMahon's promotion to the Treasurer replacing Holt. An important addition to the outside ministry was Senator Annabelle Rankin as Minister of Housing - the first woman to hold a portfolio of ministers. A minor reshuffle ensued after the 1966 election, with Doug Anthony and Ian Sinclair added to the cabinet and Charles Barnes downgraded to the outside ministry. The only new government department created during Holt's tenure is the Department of Education and Science, established in December 1966, which is the first federal department dedicated to one of these areas.
Selection
On November 26, 1966, Holt fought only for the prime election and the only one as prime minister, winning an unexpected landslide victory. The coalition gained 56.9 percent of the votes elected by two parties, won 10 seats and brought the total number of seats in the House of Representatives to 82 from 124 seats; The Liberal Party is only two seats away from forming a majority government in its own right. It was a winning margin of victory higher than that of Menzies in eight elections as Liberal leader, and was the worst election of the Labor Party in 31 years.
Holt received little credit for the Coalition election victory, even from within his own party. It is generally held that the Labor Party's poor campaign has been a major factor in its defeat. Arthur Calwell, Opposition Leader, is 70 years old and has limited personal popularity - Gallup polls before the election place his personal approval ratings at 24 percent, compared to 60 percent of Holt. Calwell had suffered a devastating rift with his deputy Gough Whitlam earlier in the year, and the general public still considered the party divided. In an election in which the Vietnam War is a major campaign issue, he and Whitlam are openly conflicting in key policy decisions. Workers ran on an anti-war platform, but struggled to attract concerned voters about national security; combined with Calwell's dedication to White Australia policy, this allowed the party to be described as isolationist and naive about external affairs. Calwell is much more telegenic than his opponent, and is seen as a rough and antagonist in which Holt is hospitable and relaxed. At a rally in Adelaide a week before the election, Calwell accused Holt of "raging from World War II - just when his three stepchildren came out of the war in Vietnam today". His attack on the Holt family - which he refused - was seen as hopeless and disrespectful, and it was pointed out that, unlike Holt, Calwell did not perform military service in World War II.
In early 1967, Arthur Calwell retired as leader of the ALP and Gough Whitlam succeeded him. Whitlam proved a far more effective opponent, both in the media and in parliament, and the Labor Party soon began to recover from its loss and gain ground, with Whitlam repeatedly defeating Holt in Parliament. At this time, long-standing tensions between the Coalition's partners on economic and trade policies have also begun to emerge. Throughout his reign as a Liberal leader, Menzies had imposed strict party discipline but, as soon as he left, disputes began to surface. Some Liberals soon became dissatisfied with what they saw as the weak leadership of Holt. Alan Reid asserted that Holt was increasingly criticized in the party in the months before his death, that he was regarded as "unclear, inaccurate and evasive" and "good to the extent that his essential courtesy was seen as a weakness".
Domestic policy
According to his biographer Tom Frame, "Holt's tendency and sympathy is from the political center [...] he is a pragmatist rather than a philosopher, but he still claims the philosophical lineage links him to Alfred Deakin and agrees to quote his statement that" We are always liberal, and reactionary never '. "
Economy
Holt as prime minister is sometimes criticized for failing to be assertive about economic issues. Major drought in 1965 has led to a slowdown in growth, but it does not want to increase public spending if there is an increase in inflation. The Australian dollar - the legacy of the Holt period as Treasurer - began to circulate on February 14, 1966, less than a month after the start of the prime minister's post. In November 1967, the British government unexpectedly announced that it would devalue pound sterling by 14 percent. Holt announced that the Australian government would not follow suit, effectively attracting Australia from sterling. The decision was strongly opposed by the Party of State, who feared it would harm the primary industry. John McEwen, leader of the Party of State, issued a public statement criticizing the government, causing destruction in relation to Holt and almost causing the collapse of the Coalition. Bulletin says that the withdrawal "is quite certain to mean the ending of the remaining special relationship between Australia and the UK". No other major economic policy reform was made by Holt Government, although Australia did become a founding member of the Asian Development Bank in 1966.
Immigration
As prime minister, Holt continues the liberalization of immigration law which he started as Minister of Immigration. When he came to the office, what remained of the White Australia policy was upheld by the ministerial decision not by explicit law. In March 1966, the residency requirement for naturalization was changed to a five-year uniform; it was already 15 years old for non-whites. Discriminatory provisions relating to family reunification are also removed. As a result, within two years after March 1966 about 3,000 Asian immigrants were granted Australian citizenship, compared to 4,100 in the previous two decades. In addition, Immigration Minister Hubert Opperman announces that prospective immigrants to Australia will be judged solely "on the basis of their suitability as settlers, their ability to integrate easily, and their ownership of actual qualifications positively beneficial to Australia"; non-whites had to show earlier that they were "highly qualified and respectable" to enter.
Keith Wilson believes that Holt Government reforms ensure that "from now on nothing will be in any of our laws or in any regulations that discriminate against migrants on the basis of color or race". However, there will be no practical change in the composition of Australia's immigration intake for years. Holt stated that "every country has the right to decide for itself what the composition of its people", and promises "community life free of serious minority and racial issues". He was careful to frame his changes only as a modification of existing policies, to avoid the exclusion of organized workers (historically the greatest advocates of restricting non-white immigration). The Labor Party just pulled out the "White Australia" from the podium in 1965, and Opposition Leader Arthur Calwell stated that he was "determined to continue to oppose, for many obvious reasons, every effort to create a multi-racial society in our midst." However, Holt is less cautious outside Australia, telling British journalists that there is no existing White Australia policy and ordered the Australian embassy to promote change to Asian governments and media.
Reform constitution
In 1967, the Holt Government amended the constitution to amend section 51 (xxvi) and abolished section 127. This gave the federal government the authority to draft a special law for the Indigenous Australians, and also allowed indigenous people to be named in the census. The constitutional amendment requires a referendum before it can be enacted, passed with more than 90 percent of the vote; it remains the majority of the largest referendum in Australian history. Holt personally considered the amendments unnecessary and mostly symbolic, but thought they would be well received by the international community (especially Asia). According to Barrie Dexter, he was personally surprised by the results of the referendum, not sure if it would pass.
Holt considers the referendum as an indication of a national atmosphere shift. In the following months, he visited the Aboriginal community and consulted with indigenous leaders, including Charles Perkins and Kath Walker. Despite being opposed by the state government, he created a new Office of Aboriginal Affairs within the Department of Prime Minister, as well as a new advisory body called the Council on Aboriginal Affairs (chaired by H. C. Coombs). According to Coombs and Paul Hasluck, Holt had little interest in indigenous affairs before becoming prime minister. Nonetheless, it brings a fundamental change in the way policy is handled, paving the way for the federal government to take on much of the power and responsibility that has previously preserved the states. Indigenous scholar Gary Foley says that Holt's death is a setback for Aboriginal people, as his successors do not show the same commitment to the framework he is building.
The Holt government also failed to try to remove section 24 of the constitution (so-called "nexus clause"), which required the number of members in the House to be "almost practical, twice the number of senators". The resulting referendum did not come close to passing, with only 40 percent of the vote supporting the national and only one state (New South Wales) recording the majority. The three main leaders of the party campaigned for the "Yes" vote, while the opposition came mostly from the backbenchers of the Coalition and the Democratic Labor Party senators. Supporters of the "No" vote managed to argue that section 24 protects the influence of the Senate, and thus the interests of less crowded states and rural areas. Holt did make one other important legal reform, though that did not require constitutional amendments. In September 1967, he announced that his administration would use section 74 of the Constitution to remove the potential High Court case to appeal to the Justice Committee of the Advisory Board. Required legislation is not authorized until after his death.
Art
In November 1967, in one of his last major policy statements, Holt announced the establishment of the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian Art Council. The National Gallery, which was not opened until 1982, was a major infrastructure project related to art funded by the federal government; previous projects have been funded by state governments or by private subscriptions. Holt said it would "add significantly to the cultural life of Australia and the national capital". Another element of its announcement, the Australian Art Council, is the first national art council, intended to provide long-arm advice to the Prime Minister's Department of art finance. Rupert Myer has suggested that "Holt's legacy must be a core belief in, and a broad public demand for, sustained support from cultural activities of all three levels of government".
Foreign policy
Holt believes it is his responsibility as prime minister "to reflect modern Australia to my countrymen, to our allies and the outside world in general". His approach to national security emphasized opposition to international communism and the need to become more involved with Asia. Holt says that "the great central fact of modern history" is "the tremendous power conflict between the communist world and the free world". He was a strong believer in domino theory and detention, who argued that communism should be fought wherever it happened to prevent it from spreading to neighboring countries. In April 1967, Holt told parliament that "geographically we are part of Asia, and the more we become aware of our involvement in Asian affairs - our greatest danger and our highest hopes are centered in the days of Asia." Gough Whitlam says that Holt "makes Australia better known in Asia and he makes Australians more aware of Asia than ever before [...] I believe it is his most important contribution to our future".
Personal diplomacy is Holt's strong point - he believes diplomatic relations can be strengthened by making intimate connections with other world leaders. This approach is disliked by its minister of external affairs, Paul Hasluck, who in his memoir accused him of believing in "instant diplomacy" and crediting his personal appeal for the progress made by diplomatic officials. As prime minister, Holt's first overseas trip was to Southeast Asia in April 1966, where he visited Malaysia, Singapore, South Vietnam, and Thailand. He toured Cambodia, Laos, South Korea and Taiwan in March and April 1967, and had planned to visit Burma, India, Indonesia, Japan and Pakistan in 1968. Most of these countries have never been visited by a prime minister Australia. There are also a number of reciprocal visits from Asian leaders, including Eisaku Sat? Japan, Souvanna Phouma of Laos, and Thanom Kittikachorn from Thailand. The most controversial of what happened in January 1967, when Prime Minister Nguy? N Cao K? from South Vietnam visited at Holt's personal invitation - was issued without consulting cabinet. The public sentiment began to turn against the war, and Ky's visit met with a huge demonstration; Opposition leader Arthur Calwell issued a statement calling him "a sad little butcher". Nonetheless, Ky handles herself well, and The Bulletin calls her visit "personal victory".
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a dominant foreign policy issue during Holt's tenure at office. He was a strong supporter of Australia's involvement in the war, which began in 1962, and accused his critics of adopting the "Lotus Land" attitude. As well as citing SEATO Australia's obligations to South Vietnam, Holt justify war on the grounds that Australia is morally obliged to "reject communist subversion and aggression" and "defend everyone's right to choose their own social and economic order". He stated that "unless there is security for all small countries, there is no security for any small country".
In March 1966, Holt announced that 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, would be withdrawn and replaced by the Australian Task Force 1, an independent brigade-based unit based in Nui Dat. It effectively triples the number of Australian troops in Vietnam to about 4,500, and also includes the first 1,500 military-mandated soldiers serving in the conflict. In the final months of Holt's prime minister, Australia has more than 8,000 personnel stationed in South Vietnam, taken from all three branches of the Australian Defense Force; the last increase in troops was announced in October 1967. Holt "never deviated from his wholehearted support for the American bombardment of North Vietnam and the ever-increasing hope that the number of foreign troops deployed to South Vietnam will lead to a military victory and solution to the crisis". John Gorton later said that "ironically, as a peaceful man, he should lead one of the greatest military forces Australia has ever experienced."
The government's handling of the war initially enjoyed widespread public support, and was considered a major contributor to the landslide election victory of 1966 - called by some as the "khaki election". However, by the end of the following year, polls showed that public sentiment had turned against the war, and earlier supportive media outlets began criticizing Holt's decision making. He did not live long enough to see the mass demonstrations experienced by his successors. The political opposition to war was initially led by Opposition Leader Arthur Calwell, who promised a total withdrawal from the conflict and referred to it as "a cruel and unbreakable civil war". His successor, Gough Whitlam, adopted a more pragmatic approach, focusing on the specific policy (especially the lack of clear exit strategy from the government) rather than the legitimacy of the war itself.
> All paths with LBJ "
Holt maintains a close relationship with the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson. He believes that "without American shields most of us living in Asia and the South Pacific will continue to feel insecure". Cooperation between the two countries surpassed the Vietnam War. Holt approved the construction of several Earth stations for use by NASA and American intelligence agencies, including Pine Gap, Honeysuckle Creek, and Tidbinbilla. This makes Australia "the most important center for US missile and space operations outside the continent of the United States".
Holt and Johnson develop personal friendships. They were the same age, and first met in 1942, when Johnson visited Melbourne as a naval officer; after which they share the same career path. Holt visited the United States twice during his office, in June and July 1966, and on his last visit was invited to stay at Camp David. He and Johnson are reportedly playing tennis, relaxing by the pool, and watching movies together. In October 1966, Johnson made his first visit to Australia by a powerful American president; Vice President Hubert Humphrey visited in February of that year. He toured five cities, and was greeted by a large crowd and a host of anti-war protesters, who disrupted the presidential motorcade. The opposition criticized the visit as a publicity stunt. Johnson then returned to Australia for Holt's funeral, and invited Zara's widow to live with him when he visited the United States in 1969.
On his first visit to the United States, Holt made what was widely seen as faux pas while delivering the ceremony at the White House. Departing from his prepared words, he said: "And so, sir, in a less lonely and perhaps even more sad moment coming to any national leader, I hope there will be a corner of your mind and heart cheering from the fact that you have an adoring friend, a loyal friend who will with LBJ . "Holt has interpreted it as" a good gesture of kindness toward a generous host ", referring to the slogan used in Johnson's presidential campaign in 1964. It was interpreted as such by his immediate audience, but after it was reported back in Australia it came to be seen as "stupid, sycophantic and dangerous statements" which is an indication of Australia's subservience Bill Hayden said that Holt's statement "shocked and insulted many Australians [...] its embarrassing and worrisome inaction." Editorial newspapers generally agree with Holt's statement that he has been misinterpreted, but still criticizes him for making mistakes in judgment.His comments intensified anti-war sentiments among those who had opposed the war but had little election effect.Even though, "all roads with LBJ" are still remembered as "the most famous speech "Holt.
English and Commonwealth
Holt is a strong supporter of the Commonwealth of Nations, and believes his member nations have a moral obligation to each other - especially Britain, as earlier colonial powers. However, his relationship with Harold Wilson, the British prime minister, froze slightly. He repeatedly lobbied Wilson to maintain a strong British presence "East of Suez", in order to supplement American efforts, and in early 1967 received assurances that no reduction was being contemplated. However, by mid-year Wilson had announced that Britain intends to close all its bases in Asia in the early 1970s (except Hong Kong). In response to Australia's concerns, it is recommended that a British naval base be established at Cockburn Sound. Holt dismisses this point directly, and feels that Wilson has deliberately misled it like British intentions.
Controversy
The popularity of Holt and his political position was undermined by the pervasiveness of the handling of a series of controversies that emerged during 1967. In April, ABC's recent night affairs program This Day Tonight contained a story that criticized the government's decision. not to lift the chairman of the ABC Board, Sir James Darling. Holt responded rashly, questioning ABC's impartiality and implying political bias on the part of journalist Mike Willesee (whose father Don Willesee is the Senator of the ALP and future government minister of Whitlam), and his statements invite strong protests from Willesee and the Australian Journalists' Association.
In May, mounting pressure from the media and within the Liberal Party forced Holt to announce a parliamentary debate on a second investigation question against the sinking of the 1964 HMAS Voyager to be held on May 16. The debate included an inaugural speech by new Liberal NSW MP Edward St John QC, who used the opportunity to criticize the government's stance on new evidence about the disaster. Angry Holt interrupts St John's speech, which goes against the parliamentary convention that women's speeches are heard in silence; his mistake embarrassed the government and further damaged Holt's support of the Liberal Party. A few days later, Holt announced the new Kingdom Commission into the disaster.
In October the government became embroiled in another embarrassing controversy about alleged abuse of VIP aircraft, which came to a head when John Gorton (Leader of Government in the Senate) filed documents showing that Holt had deliberate deliberate Parliament in an earlier reply on this issue. Support for his leadership was further eroded by his refusal to fire Air Minister Peter Howson to defuse the scandal, sparking criticism from within the party that Holt was "weak" and lacked Menzies cruelty. Much of the blame for episodes in Public Service was visited on Sir John Bunting, Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department, although other figures such as Deputy Secretary Peter Lawler were able to protect themselves. One of John Gorton's first actions after becoming Prime Minister in January 1968 was to set aside Bunting by creating a separate Cabinet Office Department with Bunting as his head, and replacing it with Lenox Hewitt.
In November 1967, the government suffered a serious setback in the Senate election, winning only 42.8 percent of the vote against 45 percent of the Labor Party. The coalition also lost the Corio and Dawson seats to the Labor Party in the general election. Alan Reid said that, within the party, the reversal was blamed for Holt's fault in the VIP aircraft scandal. Anxiety develops about his leadership style and possible health problems.
Disappearance
Holt really likes oceans, especially spear fishing, and has holiday homes in Portsea, Victoria, and Bingil Bay, Queensland. On December 17, 1967, when Holt spent the weekend in Portsea, he and four colleagues decided to go to Nepean Point to watch the Alec Rose sailors pass the Rip on their solvar journey. On the way back to Portsea, Holt convinces the group to stop at the remote Cheviot Beach for a swim before lunch - he has been spearing there on many occasions before, and admits "knowing this beach is like the back of my hand". Due to the rough conditions, only one other person, Alan Stewart, joined Holt in the water. Stewart remained close to the beach, but Holt swam into deeper water and seemed trapped in a torn stream, eventually disappearing from view. One of the witnesses, Marjorie Gillespie, described it as "like a leaf out [...] so fast and final".
The disappearance of Holt sparked "one of the largest search operations in Australian history", but no trace of his body has ever been found. A police report released in early 1968 did not make a definitive finding about Holt's death, while a 2005 coronation examination returned an accidental drowning conviction. It is generally accepted that Holt exaggerates his swimming ability. Some people suspect that Holt committed suicide, but people close to him reject this because his personality is not as usual. Conspiracy theories have included suggestions that Holt faked his own death, killed by the CIA, or collected by a submarine so he could defect to China.
A memorial service for Holt was held at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, on December 22, and was attended by many world leaders. Aged 59 at the time of his death, Holt became the third Australian prime minister to die in office, after Joseph Lyons (1939) and John Curtin (1945). John McEwen, leader of the Party of State, was sworn in as temporary prime minister on December 19. The Liberal Party held leadership elections on January 9, 1968, in which John Gorton defeated Paul Hasluck, Billy Snedden, and Les Bury. Gorton is a member of the Senate, and in line with the constitutional conventions transferred to the House of Representatives in an intermittent election caused by Holt's death.
Personal life
Relationships
While at the university, Holt meets Zara Dickins, daughter of a Melbourne businessman; there is an "instant shared attraction". They made plans to get married after Holt graduated, but after a financial dispute chose to split up. Zara traveled to England, where she was introduced to James Fell, a British Indian Army officer. He accompanied Fell to India, and then in early 1935 returned to Australia where Holt again proposed a marriage. He declined his offer, and married Fell some time later, would stay with him in Jabalpur. Holt had entered parliament at that time, and was soon profiled as "the most decent bachelor in parliament". He briefly dated Lola Thring, the daughter of his father's business partner, F. W. Thring, but his widowed father was also attracted to him (to his "disgusted" son). Tom Holt married Lola in 1936, and their daughter Frances (Harold's half-brother) was born in 1940; Tom Holt died in 1945.
In 1937, Zara returned to Australia to give birth to her first child, Nicholas. He had two more children, twins Sam and Andrew, in 1939. His marriage to Fell broke down a little later, and by the end of 1940 he returned to Australia permanently and continued his relationship with Holt. Their relationship did not become public for some time, in order to avoid Holt being involved in Zara's divorce proceedings. They finally married on October 8, 1946, at Zara's parents house on St Georges Road, Toorak. They originally lived on nearby Washington Street, but in 1954 bought the house of St Georges Road. Holt legally adopted three of Zara's children, and as a young man they changed their surname to his own. According to biographer Tom Frame, it is an "open secret" that Holt is the biological father of the twins, when they share his physical appearance and have been conceived at the time Zara is known to be in Melbourne.
Zara Holt is a successful businessman, owns a clothing store chain, and persecutes her husband even as prime minister. It was his success that allowed the couple to buy two holiday homes, one in Portsea, Victoria, and the other in Bingil Bay, Queensland. She kept sacrificing for her husband's political career, accompanying him at all but one of his overseas trips, which could last for weeks. After the death of her husband, Zara remarried in 1969 with one of her Liberal Party colleagues, Jeff Bate. She became a widow for the second time in 1984, and died in 1989. In a 1988 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Zara declared that her husband had committed a "cosmic" affair. In his biography of Holt, Tom Frame writes: "I have not included the names of women with whom Holt is suspected of having sexual relations because I can not confirm or deny that most of these relationships occur [...] by their very nature they are always forbidden and Holt is very careful. "
Personality
Holt was the first Prime Minister born in the 20th century. Holt is an enthusiastic sportsman and experimental swimmer, which is a cruel differentiation for Menzies and the majority of his predecessors and his associates. Like his next successor, Bob Hawke, this resonates with a positive influence in the electorate. His speech skills were far superior to Arthur Calwell's Holt hit in 1966. However, Holt's rhetoric was regarded as a match with the new Labor leader, Gough Whitlam. Whitlam himself later said of Holt:
Her ability to connect with men from diverse backgrounds, attitudes, and interests is her essential courtesy. He is tolerant, humane and insightful. Her suavity does not pose. It is an outward reflection of a truly civilized man. He is a real man.
Religious belief
Holt has been described as an "apathetic agnostic". He was baptized Anglican, attended Methodist school, and married a Presbyterian form, but neither he nor his wife were interested in religion. His lack of religiosity has little impact on his political prospects, and is not generally mentioned. Alick Downer believes that Holt's thoughts "lie in this world are not the next". According to his friend Simon Warrender, he "is an agnostic whose raison d'ÃÆ'ªtre is his dedication to his career". Holt has a reputation as a fatalist, and is often quoted from Andrew Marvell's poem carpe diem "To His Coy Mistress". He also loved Rudyard Kipling's poetry "If--", which Warrender said was "the guiding light of his political and personal life".
Memorial and other relics
Harold Holt is commemorated by Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Center in Glen Iris, a suburb of Melbourne. The complex is being built at the time Holt disappears, and since he is a local member, it is named in his memory. The irony of commemorating a man who is suspected to have drowned with a swimming pool has been a source of joy to many Australians.
In 1968, the newly commissioned US Navy destroyer class, USS Harold E. Holt (FF-1074) was named in his honor. He was launched by Holt Dame Zara's widow at Todd Shipyards in Los Angeles on May 3, 1969, and was the first American warship to bear the name of a foreign leader.
In 1969, a plaque commemorating Holt was bolted to the seabed of Cheviot Beach after the memorial service. It bears the inscription:
To commemorate Harold Holt, Australian Prime Minister, who loves the sea and disappeared here on December 17, 1967.
Other warnings include:
- the outskirts of Holt, Australian Capital Territory;
- Navy Communication Station Harold E. Holt;
- Holt Division, election district of the Australian House of Representatives in Victoria;
- a sundial and park at Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne;
- wings for boarding residents at Wesley College, Melbourne;
- Harold Holt Fisheries Reserves - five protected areas south of Port Phillip, located in Swan Bay, Point Lonsdale, Mud Islands, Nepean Point and Pope's Eye (The Annulus).
- a memorial stone inside 'Prime Ministers Garden' at Melbourne General Cemetery
By way of people's memorials, he is recalled in the Australian vernacular phrase "doing Harold Holt" (or "doing Harry"), rhine slang to "bolt" meaning "to disappear abruptly and without explanation," though this is usually used in context disappearance of social gatherings rather than cases of alleged death.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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