REFUGEE JEWS AT SYDNEY

Chronicle (Levin), 26 November 1946, Page 9

REFUGEE JEWS AT SYDNEY

LARGE CONTINGENT ARRIVES SYDNEY, Nov. 25. The largest 11111111)61 of Jewish refugccs from Central Europe sixice before the war arrived in Sydney today by the French steamer Ville Damiens. The ship brought 187 and all but one had permits to enter Australia. The migrants include doctors, dentists, clerks, traders and lawyers. Some are clderly and only six are children. All had to give a guarantee that they had jobs to go to and had accommodation in which to live before being allowed ashore. All were sponsored by relativcs in Australia. The migrants came from Poland and Czechoslovakia. A few had been in German concentration camps and still had the camp numbers tattooed on their forearms. The alien migrants are to be specially cducated in the Australian way of life and should they become nationalised an impressive ceremony will mark their adoption of Australian citizenship. This is proposed by the Immigration Minister (Mr. Calwell) to break down racial prejudice and to make the aliens feel that Australia oifers them a new home. Mr. Calwell described the proposals as a dignified induction ceremony which would serve to instil into the, minds of the applicants a proper appreciation of the value of their new citizenship. A ceremony is planned similar to that conducted in the United States when aliens are given nationalisation. At present when aliens are granted nationalisation they merely attend the local courthouse and take the oath of allegiance before a magistrate or clerk of the court.