ITALIAN INFLUX

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 10

ITALIAN INFLUX

PRECAUTION’S IN AUSTRALIA. (From Oub Own Oohhespondbxt.) SYDNEY, January S. The concern that was caused by the unexpected arrival in Australia of a ship load of Italian immigrants, following upon the announcement that many of their countrymen, led hero by false prospects were indigent and a charge- upon the State, has led to action 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 mado known that Australia could not permit the entry of indigent persons. It was decided some tune ago that the (number of Italians should be regulated on the basis of the number that came in in the preceding 32 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 Italians coming to Australia were in a satisfactory financial position, and would not at least befoome 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 big batch of Italians that has just arrived, the forebodings as to what would happen to them hero 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 oountrymetf.