NO INVASION

CHINESE IN AUSTRALIA

A FALLING OFF

(From "The \ Post's" Representative.) " : SYDNEY, 20th August.

Replying to suggestions to the contrary _the Minister of Home Affairs (Mr. Blakeley) has pointed out that since the beginning of Federation tho Chinese population in Australia has dropped from 29,62^ to about 15,000. In fact, there lias been a regular and consistent decline in the Chinese population since 1881, xrheji it was rated at 35,533. : ' '

It was about 1881, when an agitation against their admission was commenced, and culminated in the Immigration Act and the White • Australia policy. The decline is continuing, and in every year since 1925 departure of Chinese have been greater than the arrivals. Last year arrivals numbered 1487, and departures 1891. At present the only permanont Chinese population comprises those resident in the Commonwealth since before Federation.

When this generation has passed there will be no Chinese with a right to live permanently in Australia, except^ the children of Chinese parents born here. The number of these is limited, for at the, 1921 census there were only 3655 Chinese women in Australia,, and only 3600 half-castes of both sexes. Under the Immigration Act no Chinese are now permitted into Australia as permanent residents. The Chinese who do come in are either former residents returning—and about 75 per cent, of the..-'departures apply for return permits—ror persons entering under exemption. Exemptions aro granted on a yearly basis to Chinese merchants coming to the Commonwealth to engage in wholesale trading, or to act as substitutes to Chinese merchants who are going abroad. There is also an arrangement nnder which Chinese students are admitted for educational purposes. '

A third limited exemption enables Chinese wives;—the wives of residents of standing—to pay visits to the1 Commonwealth. Most elaborate preeau> tions are taken by the Department to prevent the transfer of rotuim permits from Chinese leaving Australia permanently to unauthorised immigrants. Full and side-face photographs, fingerprints, and a detailed description of the general appearance and characteristics are taken at every departure. In these circumstances there seems to bo no possibility of Australia ever becoming Yellow by the process of peaceful invasion.