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Clip description
Under relevant archival footage, the narrator states that during his time on the international scene, Menzies outlasted four American presidents including Kennedy and Johnson and five English prime ministers. He leads the Australian delegation to the United Nations and defends Australia’s territorial policy. He also re-establishes good relations with Japan, and his trade relations work takes Japan to the top of the Australian export lists.
His visit to Indonesia was not so successful, but allays the tensions that existed at the time. His support for Malaysia shows loyalty to Britain but was also for Australian interests. He persuaded the USA to be more understanding towards Indonesia.
Curator’s notes
Menzies’s stamina, active number of years in the political scene and scope of his working life is astounding. That his career is measured in the number of British and American leaders reflects the international nature of his long tenure as prime minister. The narration conveys how important international diplomacy is and that no matter where Menzies is in the world, he is always a forceful personality.
