"WHITE AUSTRALIA."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 7

"WHITE AUSTRALIA."

Phrase Insulting and Needs

Revision.

AIDING INDIAN STUDENTS,

LONDON, April 22.

One of the most vital world problems of to-day is the maintenance of the balance of power in the Far East, writes the Indian publicist, Dr. C. F. Andrews, in the "Spectator." He says he found the greatest eagerness in Australia about India's attitude to Japan.

"It is time to cultivate friendship between India and Australia. The unfortunate phrase 'White Australia' is still in the way and badly needs revision," he writes. "It ought to be pointed out that its main object is economic, not racial. The phrase is regarded as insulting, and should be withdrawn, and a purely economic title substituted.

"Indians domiciled in Australia are treated as citizens, and there is 110 colour bar. A political mission from Australia to India is lonjr overdue. There are many important ways wliereliy these two countries could be drawn together, despite exclusion laws

"The entrance of Indian students to Australian universities, where standards of practical sciences are high, is not barred, the only barrier being the desperate poverty of the students.

"Could not Australia offer bursaries, enabling the best students to finish medical and scientific courses in Australia? Some of the strongest ties binding China to America have l?eu similarlv formed."