"This Recalcitrant Minority”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23021, 11 August 1949, Page 4

"This Recalcitrant Minority”

During the Avar, Air. Calivoll points out, some thoiisamis of people who normally Avould have been refused admission were given refuge in Australia purely on compassionate grounds. Permission A\’as granted on the definite understanding that these people would return to their mini countries at the end of hostilities. The majority had done so without, hesitation, but some hundreds have remained and haA’e ignored all Avarnings given to them. It. is against "this recalcitrant minority” that the Alinister hoav reneAvs his efforts, ordering their deportation. Opposition in Australia to Mr. Calwell’s administration is based mainly on the grounds of excessive harshness and his interpretation of the laAv that he has no discretionary poAvcrs, to Avhieh lie replies that he has acted consistently Avith precedent, as established by Conservative Governments, and Avit.h humanity. The opposition contends that he has translated into laAv his apparent assumption that a feAV hundred Asiatics, resident in Australia because of conditions Avhieh may newer occur again, are a dangerous pocket in a nation Avith a population that outnumbers them ten thousandfold. The charge has been made that. Air. Colwell by bis actions is imperilling Australia’s relations Avith Asiatic countries, and this is believed to be supported by reports that be has clashed with the Alinister of External Affairs. Dr. Evatt. Air. Cal well denies that bis policy is creating enmity abroad. The protests that have been made in Indonesia and the Philippines be ascribes to the publicity giA r en to the question by bis political opponents in Australia. _ Air. Cnhvell asserts that there is no evidence .anywhere in the Avorld that the great aggregation of people of Avidely differing standards of living, culture and ideals can liA r e together in one community in peace and prosperity. This belief has become almost an obsession. Tie says that Avhen such association is attempted it leads at the Avorst to hatred, bloodshed, continual outbursts and ferocious civil Avar. At the very best it produces furtive fears and dislikes with one race or other in a hopeless subordinate position doing the menial Avork of (lie-nation and living meanly on a leA'el someAvhat between that of the domestic animal and that of the free human being.