Exhibit (17)

      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 1984


                                                       1933 Act File No. 2-90946
                                                      1940 Act File No. 811-
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-1A

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933              [x]
                                 PRE-EFFECTIVE
                                 AMENDMENT NO.
                          POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.           
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                       THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940        [x]
                                  AMENDMENT NO.                  
                    Eaton Vance Government Obligations Trust
                    ----------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                 24 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
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                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

        (617) 482-8260 Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code
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                               H. DAY BRIGHAM, JR.
                 24 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                 ----------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)


     Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after
this Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 becomes effective.

     Registrant elects to register an indefinite number of shares of beneficial
interest, without par value, of its series presently existing or hereafter
created, pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

     Registrant hereby amends the Registration Statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states
that such Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance
with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until such Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant
to Section 8(a), may determine.

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