BITTER PERSONAL ATTACK

Evening Star, Issue 26030, 19 February 1947, Page 6

BITTER PERSONAL ATTACK

QUARREL BETWEEN MINISTERS IMMIGRATION POLICY CRITICISED MELBOURNE, Feb. 17. Commenting on criticism last week of the Federal Government’s immigration policy, the Federal Minister of Immigration, Mr A. A. Calwell, delivered a bitter personal attack on the New South Wales Minister of Immigration, Mr Finnan. He said that Mr Finnan had been hypocritical when, in his capacity of member for Gosford, he advanced absurd claims for the issue of landing permits to certain aliens in whom he was interested. If Mr Finnan were straightforward in his criticism he would not he seeking to. gain advantages in his own electorate. ■* Mr Calwell said he could obli-ie Finnan by limiting, the number of aliens arriving in New South Wales and could refuse all future applications sent by Mr Finnan on behalf of persons whose claims he had so painstakingly advanced. To insist On regulation of immigrants by a state was as logical as* regulation by New . South Wales municipalities of the numbers permitted to settle within their boundaries.

Mr Calwell said that Mr Finnan displayed a lack of knowledge, and revealed strong prejudices. Aliens were not impeding the transport of people from Britain as they were using berths unsuitable for British migrants. They were not depriving Australians of housing as accommodation was provided by friends and relatives.