AUSTRALIA MAY CALL UP ALIEN YOUTHS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 13

AUSTRALIA MAY CALL UP ALIEN YOUTHS

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, July 28. The Australian Government is reported to have decided to call up alien youths for national service training, the “Sun” reported today.

The newspaper said no official announcement would be made until after August 8, when the present registration of Australian 20-year-olds was completed.

The decision will affect several thousand migrants living in Australia who have not become naturalised citizens. Because of the international complexities involved in the policy, the Federal Cabinet has spent much time considering the proposal, “The Sun” said. European countries from which the migrants have come were consulted on the alien draft proposal. Federal Cabinet Ministers then discussed the views and reactions of the overseas governments. Vietnam Service The proposal would require alien youths called-up to serve, if necessary, in Vietnam or any other foreign theatre of operations. The Prime Minister, Mr Holt, is known strongly to favour the plan of calling up aliens alongside Australian youths, naturalised migrants and British migrants, “The Sun” said.

The difficulties confronting Cabinet included the possibility of international repercussions as the move could result in call-up by their host country of young Australians living abroad. Living in Australia are more than 200,000 aliens, eligible

for naturalisation but who have not applied. About 400 of these aliens are estimated to be in the 20-year-old draft category. New settlers may apply for naturalisation as an Australian citizen after 4j years’ residence. The Immigration Department has been concerned and puzzled at the lack of desire of these people to seek full Australian citizenship. “Winkles Up!”—With a shout of “Winkles Up!”, Sir Robert Menzies, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, yesterday ended his historic round of installation ceremonies which left him the honorary ruler of a large slice of Britain's Channel coast.—Dover, July 28.

The department has also expressed fears that the migration flow to Australia could be affected by a decision to call up alien migrant youths. The effect on British subjects does not appear to have been marked.

It is not yet known what attitude the Government will adopt toward migrants who have lived only a brief period in Australia, “The Sun” said. Th e call-up may be limited to those eligible for naturalisation but who have not sought to become naturalised.