ASSISTED MIGRANTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 130, 4 June 1938, Page 14

ASSISTED MIGRANTS

AUSTRALIAN SCHEME

NOMINATION SYSTEM

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Extracts from a report by the migration committee of the New Zealand Five Million Club dealing with the problem of obtaining suitable immigrants were published in "The Post" on Thursday. This fact lends special interest to a statement made in the Australian Federal House of Representatives on May 12 by the Hon. J. McEwen, Minister of the Interior, on assisted migration to Australia. The Minister stated that prior to 1920, assisted migration was handled by the respective States. In 1920, the Commonwealth and States entered into a joint scheme, the division of responsibility being: Commonwealth, Recruitment, medical examination, and transport; States, Reception, settlement, and after-care. The United Kingdom and Commonwealth Governments contributed towards passages on a 50-50 basis.

In 1930, on account of the economic depression, the Commonwealth restricted assisted'migration virtually to nominations involving the reunion of families.

In 1936, economic conditions having improved considerably, the Commonwealth proposed to the States that assisted migration should be partially resumed. The views of the States varied considerably, and the Commonwealth decided to deal with the matter on a State basis, and to grant assisted passages to the extent desired by any State.

SYSTEM REVIVED. In February, 1938, South Australia lodged a requisition for household workers, whilst New South Wales decided to resume assisted migration covering individual nominations involving the reunion of families, juveniles, youths for farm work, and household workers nominated by approved organisations. In March, 1938, the Commonwealth decided, with the co-operation of the United Kingdom Government, to grant assisted passages in favour of: (a) persons (relatives or friends) resident in the United Kingdom nominated by individuals or approved organisations, such as Fairbridge Farm schools, Big Brother Salvation ' Army, Dr. Barnardo's Homes, Y.W.C.A., Boy Scouts' Association, or churches; (b) migrants specially requisitioned for by any State; and Cc) persons of British stock resident in the. United Kingdom who would be in possession of (1) in the case of a married man not less than £300 capital on arrival in Australia; alternatively a pension or other income of not less than £100 per annum; (2) in the case of a single man, not less than £50 capital on arrival.

The Commonwealth also approved the gran? of a passage money contribution equal to one half of the tourist steamer fare from India to Australia in favour of British Army officers and other ranks, and Civil Servants from India retiring from time to time on pensions, with their wives and families.

In its national' insurance legislation the Commonwealth will make provision for reciprocity with the United Kingdom Government to enable insured migrants to receive benefits under the Australian scheme in consideration of rights held by them under the British scheme.

In advising State Premiers of the decision to proceed with assisted migration, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the State would co-oper-ate and continue.to submit such nominations as may be acceptable to them. He also requested that the various State Immigration ■ Authorities might refer to the Secretary, Department of the Interior, for consideration, any nominations received which may not be acceptable to them.

CO-OPERATION BY THE STATES. New South Wales is co-operating fully, while South Australia has agreed to the personal nomination system, and has submitted personal nominations. Victoria and Western Australia have submitted a few personal nominations. The New Settlers' League of Queensland, which- is subsidised by the United Kingdom, Commonwealth, and Queensland Governments,, has submitted a nomination 'in faVour of youths for farm work and household workers. No nominations have been received from Tasmania.

Nominations received direct by the Department of the Interior will "be carefully investigated to ensure that nominators are in a position to honour their obligations towards migrants introduced on their nominations.

Steps are being taken to ensure that before being granted an assisted passage, each migrant will be examined by the Migration Authorities at Australia House regarding suitability for life in Australia, in addition,to being up to the required standard. As the overwhelming majority of migrants will be introduced under the nomination system, or under State requisitions, it is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in regard to their assimilation. It is not proposed to arrange for the introduction of any other class of migrant under the assisted passage scheme, unless the Migration Authorities at Australia House are satisfied that the migrant is likely to become successfully established in Australia. His trade or calling and the class of employment he proposes to seek after arrival will be the principal factors.

GROUP NOMINATIONS. The following group nominations have been approved:— Church of England Migration Council, Sydney: 200 household workers and 200 youths for farm work. These are expected to arrive at the rate of 25 household workers and 25 youths per month. The youths will receive training at Scheyville Training Farm, and will be placed in employment by the New South Wales Migration Authorities. Their after-care will be attended to by the Church of England Migration Council in co-operation with the British 1 Settlers' Welfare Committee. The household workers will be placed in employment by the Church of England Migration Council, which will also be responsible for their aftercare. Salvation' Army, Sydney: 300 household workers and 120 youths for farm work. It is expected that -these will arrive at the rate of 25 household workers and 10 youths per month. These nominees will be placed in employment by the Salvation Army, which will undertake responsibility for their after-care. It is anticipated that the first parties will arrive in about three months. OTHER APPROVALS. Personal nominations covering 144 persons have been approved. These nominations have been accepted from relatives and friends in Australia, who will place them in employment and attend to their after care. South Australia has requisitioned for 42 household workers, who will arrive over, a period of six months. The State Government will be responsible for their placement and after care. Under the child migration schemes, the following nominations have been approved:—Fairbridge Farm Schools (New South Wales), 28 children; Fairbridge Farm Schools (Victoria), 84 children; Presbyterian Orphan Home,