ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS

Evening Star, Issue 18157, 23 December 1922, Page 6

ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS

PROTESTS IN AUSTRALIA. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, December 22. ,The recent arrivals of considerable numbers of Italian immigrants, while 400 more are due next week, is causing much outcry against unrestricted immigration while unemployment is rife throughout tlie commonwealth and the land hunger amongst prospective Australian and British settlers is far from satisfied. The claims made on behalf of the Italians are that the great bulk of them are agriculturalists, and will prove a valuable asset to the development of the country. The State Government considered and rejected a scheme to establish an Italian colony in New South Wales. It is understood that the Government’s immigration policy will be restricted as far as possible to British subjects. The Labor organisations, who are strongly opposed to any scheme for unrestricted immigration, have circularised British and European organisations informing them of the present industrial stagnation, the rifeness of unemployment, and the parlous outlook for immigrants in Australia. Tho Italian Consul has announced that if employment is not available for next week’s arrivals ho will advise their return. He has also jvyarned the Italian authorities of the condition of affairs.

ITALIAN EMBASSY’S EXPLANATION. LONDON, December 21. The Australian Press Association learns from the Italian Embassy that the vast majority of Italian migrants to Australia have been nominated by Italians already settled in the commonwealth, and chiefly working on sugar plantations in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Tho migrants travel direct from Italy by Italian steamers. The migration is supervised by tho Italian Emigration Commission, which ensures that the migrants are assured of work or possess adequate means of sustenance pending employment. The Embassy discredits the reports that hundreds of Italians are without work, and states 'that it has received no complaints of unemployment or other hardship among Italian migrants, who do not settle in the towns, but are essentially rural workers, and are, therefore, the type of settler which Australia seeks. Pile Migration Department at Australia House disclaims responsibility for Italian migration.—A. and N.Z. Cable.