INFLUX OF ITALIANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18294, 10 January 1923, Page 9

INFLUX OF ITALIANS.

AUSTRALIAN PRECAUTIONS. LIMITATION OF NUMBERS. [FROM OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY, , Jan. 3. The concern that was caused by the ■unexpected arrival in Australia of a shipload of Italian immigrants, following upon the announcement that many of their countrymen, led here by false prospects, were indigent and a charge upon the State, has led to afction by the Federal Government. It has been decided that a communication be forwarded to the Italian Government, through the proper channels, asking that it be made known that Australia could not permit the entry of indigent persons.It was decided some time ago that the number of Italians admitted should be regulaited on the basis of the number that came in in the ■ preceding 12 months, and in proportion to the volume of immigration, from other European countries. Reliance was placed .on the British Consul in Italy, who was responsible for the issue of passports, to see that' Itailians coming to.Australia were in a satisfactory financial position, and would not at least'become a, charge upon the community. The Federal Government has certain power under the immigration laws to control, the influx of aliens, and this power is to be exercised to the extent necessary for the protection of the Australian public. Although the New South Wales Government .has refused to do anything for the large batch of Italians that has just arrived, the forebodings as to what would happen to them here have proved unjustified, as most of them were able to find employment within a day or two of landing. Each State has a fairly large Italian population, and those among them who are' in a position to do so have lost no time in coming to the assistance of their countrymen.