FOREIGN INFLUX

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1924, Page 3

FOREIGN INFLUX

CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, December 17. There is considerable cimcern in Australia at the rapidly increasing intlux ol Snulhein Europeans. The restrictions imposed by America have directed nttention to this continent, and for some months now the numbers of new arrivals have been swelling quickly. Italian settlers in North Queensland have in past done very well, and have made admirable citizens. and ii is natural that they shuulil attract cntisidcrahlc numbers of their lompatriots whom they are able to assure of oio.nlnvmonl or other prospects. The inevitable accessions to the ranks of iiiiemployi'il from these ■ mi :. have can;. cl tho Ecib'ial Gov eminent l*i lake the iuniorlanl step of fixing a ti”• 11 11 1 ly quota for Jugoslavs ami Greeks. This is an entirely new departure m immigration restric tii ns. and it is generally believed that it will he very elastic in the ease of any prospective settlers who are able to show that they have either capital believed, is as nnicli to protect the prospective settlers as to protect Australia. Arrangements have been made that passport visas for Australia in favour of Jiigo-Slavs and Greek's shall not. exceed 100 a mouth of each nationality, and preference is to In* given to those who have a knowledge of English and have some capital or intend to join close relations. So far the restriction has nut been extended to Italians, although only last week a large Italian vessel which arrived with 721 settlers from the Mediterranean included anmgnst this number It 50 Italians as against lit) Jugu Slavs and 120 Greeks. This vessel, the Palermo, is .soot) tolls, ami has been specially equipped to serve as all emigrant, sbip between Italy anil Australia. This is her first trip, anil the whole of the passenger space is given over to the migrants, who sleep together in large airy compartments, arranged a ('fording to jtlieir 'iiat'foi/alitios. The officers of the Palermo consider her to iie one of the most up-to-date immigrant ships alloat, and great, pains are taken to keep the vessel clean. \\ hen at sea all the passengers arc mustered nil (leek in the morn ing. while the sleeping apartments are thoroughly cleansed. Captain Cliiesa, commander of the vessel! said that during the voyage lie had .00000 entrusted to him u, he oai.l mil to the Italian migrant* at the end of the voyage. The Italian Governments insisted that overv prospective migrant to Australia should have at least £lO over his I | issago 'money, "Illicit amounted ito Cl 7. An Italian who wished to migrate to Australia, therefore, must have saved at least LSI). These conditions, he considered, ensured an industrious and thrifty class of immigrant for Australia. Officers of the vessel say that if inducement offers passenger services to Australia will be greatlv improved. There are already three large Italian liners in addition to the Palermo trading to Australia. || alterations similar to those effected on the Palermo are carried out. as is probable, on the other vessels the four steamers alone will he capable of bringing 7000 immigrants to Australia in the course of one year.