SERVICE MIGRANTS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 149, 21 December 1945, Page 8

SERVICE MIGRANTS

1300 COMING TO AUSTRALIA

O.C. SYDNEY, December 4, More, than 1300 British sailors, Wrens, and American servicemen will settle in Australia when they are demobilised. •

Commander J. D. R. Davies, British Pacific Fleet Re-settlement Information Officer, . whose headquarters are in Sydney, ilid more than 500 men and women of the Pacific Fleet had already been granted permission to settle in Australia.

The 500 were only a fraction of the total personnel * (at present about 80,000), and he expected applications to increase soon. Occupations ot those who . had obtained permission ranged from poultry farmers to accountants and lawyers. The Federal Government granted permission for them to remain after demobilisation on condition that they were of good character and health. If the settler wished to return home within two years he would be given a free passage to Britain. As soon as settlers were ready to receive their families) the families Would be given a free passage out by the British Government.

The American Red Cross in Sydney stated that 800 U.S. servicemen had decided to settle in. Australia. Most of them were married to Australian girls and liked the climate and way of life. Many had arranged to be discharged in Australia and about 50 had returned as civilians after making farewell visits to their relatives in America. The U.S. authorities will not discharge men in Australia unless they have employment to go to or enough money to support themselves for sometime.

One of the Americans already at work, Wallace Chormicle, a former airman, said he had stayed in Australia because he believed he was getting a better post-war start as a mechanic than he would in the United States. He felt sure there were more opportunities to get ahead.