FOREIGNERS IN AUSTRALIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 219, 13 August 1927, Page 2

FOREIGNERS IN AUSTRALIA

INCREASE' IN THE INFLUX. A VERY DELICATE PROBLEM. . SYDNEY, July 29. Australia, which prides itself upon its White Australia policy, and which has courageously set itself the task of maintaining its possessory title to the continent with practically only a handful of people, is, at the same time, viewing .with disquiet tho growing influx of foreigners who are not outside the racial limit. Photographs in the press of ships arriving in Sydney with a heterogeneous human collection talking many strange tongues, tell their own story. The public is wholeheartedly behind successive Governments in their attitude in keeping out those who are not, it is felt, because of facial and national characteristics, capable of absorbing our own British ideals and standards. The returned soldiers, at their coming congress in Sydney, propose to discuss the growing influx of southern Europeans. The Federal Government, however, is preserving a strict silence with regard to the resolution which is to come before the conference. It is a delicate matter, especially now that Australia is closely affected by world events and happenings, and the Government is not prepared to make too much noise about it. Even at the Federal Capital, which is in its swaddling clothes, the number of foreigners is surprising. They are apparently getting in on the ground floor, even if they are not allowed to lease land there.

TJie inevitable Greeks are prominent. One Greek, on applying to an official for a job, was refused! The Greek wanted to know why. “Because we give preference to returned soldiers,” was tne official’s quick reply. The Greek’s retort was even more rapid and emphatic. “Well,” he said, Svhatta do you. want, I’m a returned soldier.” Which was a fact. Ho produced' an Australian Imperial Force badge and got a job. It only shows what a delicate matter the whole problem of foreigners is in Australia. \Vhile tho ordinance forbidding the leasing of land at the capital to foreigners is a deterrent, the opening for those who become naturalised is readily availed of. In the neighbouring town of Queanbeyan, only a tew miles away, ioreign 'shopkeepers are a fairly strong element.