'U.S. Inexhaustible Source For Migrants'

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1948, Page 5

'U.S. Inexhaustible Source For Migrants'

AUCKLAND, Fri. (P.A.).—More than half of the 460 passengers in the Marine Phoenix from the United States for Australia passing through Auckland today are assisted immigrants under the Commonwealth Government plan. Almost all are ex-servicemen who served in Australia during the war. Many are married to Australian girls.

Reports in American and Australian newspapers of improper behaviour on shipboard by American migrants were discounted by Mr A. H. O’Connor, president of the Australian Society of New York, who was a through puassenger on the Marine Phoenix passenger on the Mai'ine Phoenix today.

He said the conduct of young men and women on the present trip left nothing to be desired.

Thousands of former American exservicemen and others are anxious to go to Australia, and many would like to come to New Zealand if your Government had an (assisted immigration policy for Americans,” he added. ‘‘l dealt with 5000 applications up to Christmas as head of the Australian News and Information Bureau, New York.

“America is an inexhaustible reservoir for good-class immigrants.

“This is the first time there has been an exodus of Americans to other lands—the trend is altogether apart from pressure by Australian wives.” Passengers described a large party of the immigrants bound for Austra-

lia as living results of Mr O’Connor’s boosting of life in South Sea coun;ries.