JEWISH REFUGEES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23208, 30 November 1938, Page 10

JEWISH REFUGEES

AUSTRALIA'S POLICY'^If r 4 . QUOTA SYSTEM LIKELY INNOVATION EXPECTED T- ■ jjhw • [FROM Otm OWN CORRESPONDENT] . SYDNEY, Nov. 2S ' An immigration quota for refugee Jews probably will be fixed by the Aug- " tralian Government, and if thi s i s done an important and far-reaching innovation in policy will be introduced. I - Australia has hitherto strictly se t itf*' • face against the quota system for for- I eign nationals, but the exigencies of the present situation and a desire to help the Jews have influenced the de- incision. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons has already stated that the British Government has mado no request for the Commonwealth to offer a refuge to Jews and has exerted no pressure.Early next week he is expected to . ;|i make an important statement on the Jewish migration problem. Following the lead given by Britain and the "United States, it is believed that Australia is eager to convince the world of her willingness to. accept a share of the refugees. That share wili be in proportion to her own population, industrial development and gen- I eral absorptive capacity. The adoption, of the quota system would be a radical; departure from any previous Commonwealth migration policy. "• Steep Rise in Immigrants .. The exact rate of the Jewish influx into Australia in the seven or eight months since Germany annexed Austria, cannot bo determined, because alienn at present are classified under nationalities and not according to religion op racg. It is established, however, tKlf* there has been a steep rise in tho number of German immigrants, with whom Austrians are now classified, and it is certain that nearly all the German immigrants are Jews. Evidence of this also comes from the huge number of applications received by the Commonwealth Government, both here and in London. Compulsory Registration , It is believed that the Jewish refuges quota wilt be determined by religion irrespective of nationality and thafc it will approximate the numbers already gaining admittance, under existing re- .< strictions of monetary qualifications and guarantees by friends and relatives settled here. This quota, though net extensive, would be evidence of Aug- ; tralia's desire to assist ; n settling ths Jews, and would provide a check on the actual numbers entering the country. The Government would be in a position to prevent a Jewish problem arising in this country. Refugee Jews; already in Australia would ally come into the .quota if the Government adopts the scheme. Legislation is now being passed in the Federal Parliament for the compulsory registration of all aliens. It will enable a close check to be kept on this movements of aliens after their arrival in Australia. The new registration law* will be administered with the assistance of the police and postal officials. TJw Government will thus be able to krioir whether aliens carry out the undertakings they give when entering Australia to settle in a specified district and enter a certain trade or business.