SOUTH EUROPEAN MIGRANTS TO AUSTRALIA

Grey River Argus, 27 March 1948, Page 3

SOUTH EUROPEAN MIGRANTS TO AUSTRALIA

CANBERRA, March 25

The Minister of Immigration, Hon. Mr Calwell, stated that nationals of Italy, Rumania, Hungary and Bulgaria, will be admitted as migrants t o Australia, subject to employment conditions. This decision followed the ratification of the peace treaties with these countries. The first preference would be to migrants suitable and willing to work in rural industries. Second preference would be granted those who would be employed in work helping to relieve the housing shortage. Third preference would go to those who would work on national undertakings in rural districts, such as water conservation and electricity projects, and road and rati const ruction. Mr Calwell said that a sheet security test, would apply in every case. To ensure that the drifting m migrants to other occupations, it would b e a condition of admission that the migrant should engage m the class of work for which he was nominated, and remain in the district to which he was assigned for two years .At. the end of two years those who had proved themselves to have been satisfactory migrants, would oe allowed then to remain in Australia permanently. _