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Cabinet submission on British and alien migration to Australia
[Stamped: 'EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RECORDS’ with handwritten reference number '43/554/2/1-10.' And handwritten initials 'WB HB HS'.]
[Handwritten annotation:] Noted 27-9-45. Considered by Full Cabinet 28-12-43.
[Underlined heading:] BRITISH AND ALIEN MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.
A Despatch dated 2nd April, 1943, has been received from the Secretary of State for the Dominions in regard to the migration British subjects to Australia. A summary of the Despatch and of its enclosures is attached to the memorandum of the 11th June, 1943, by the Secretary of my Department, which is submitted herewith.
2. The most vital matter to be decided now is whether it is the policy of the Commonwealth Government to increase the population of Australia by the immigration of suitable migrants.
3. While appreciating the erroneous impression that people outside of Australia have of the "unoccupied wide open spaces" of this continent, I nevertheless feel that it must be admitted that we cannot expect to hold Australia indefinitely with such a small population as that which we now possess and that there is room in the Commonwealth for a much greater population than we have at present.
4. The greatest asset to Australia, from a population point of view, is of course the Australian born child, but in view of the declining birthrate [sic] this source of increase will be negligible. In this connection attention is invited to the memorandum of 2nd June, 1941, prepared by my Department which contains some very interesting figures (appendix 'D').
5. If we are to increase our population we will of necessity be forced to have recourse to the encouragement of immigration of British subjects and approved white aliens.
6. Assuming that the Government’s policy will be to encourage the immigration of the suitable migrants, it is desired that consideration be given to the various points raised in the Despatch from the Dominions Office. These are reported upon in general terms by the Secretary of my Department and I concur with the views expressed in his memorandum of 11th June, 1943. A summary of these views appears on pages 6 and 7 of the memorandum of 11th June, 1943.
7. The Constitutional limitations of the power of the Commonwealth Government are such that, to implement any scheme of migration, the co-operation of the State Governments is essential. The Commonwealth Government has power to bring as many migrants as it desires to Australia, but once they land all the facilities for residence, placement in employment and attention to "after-care" are in the hands of the State Governments.
8. It is desirable, therefore, that the State Governments should be advised as soon as possible of the Commonwealth Government’s decision in regard to migration and conferences of State and Commonwealth Departments concerned arranged so that proper liaison and co-operation can be established.
9. The appointment of the following departmental committees is suggested in the memorandum by the Secretary of my Department: -
(1) Representatives of the Departments of Social Services, Post-war Reconstruction, Treasury and Repatriation to report on reciprocal social insurance schemes;
[Page] 2.
(2) representatives of the Departments of Post-war Reconstruction, Repatriation and Social Services to advise on the question as to when migration should commence after the war;
(3) representatives of the Departments of the Interior, Post-war Reconstruction, External Affairs, Treasury, and Repatriation to advise in regard to the admission of white aliens;
(4) a committee on similar to that mentioned in (3) to report on the admission of coloured aliens.
These committees should be appointed as soon as possible.
10. The matter is submitted for the consideration of Cabinet.
