[Page 1.]

[letterhead in blue shows Australian coat of arms with the text 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' underneath. Followed the text:]

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

FEDERAL MEMBERS' ROOMS.

PERTH, W.A.

[End of letterhead.]

22nd July, 1948.

The Hon. A. A. Calwell,

Minister for Immigration,

Federal Members Rooms,

[underlined:] MELBOURNE.

Dear Mr. Calwell,

I received a letter from Mr. J. K. Ewers, ordinarily of 13 Keane Street, Cottesloe, W.A., at present of an expedition through the North West and Kimberleys.

He writes in the following terms: -

"Today I met Sammuden ben Kaleb, an Indonesian, who is to be deported on August 23rd.

The real facts seem to be that Sam (for short) organized and became President of the I.M.A. – Indonesian-Malay-Association. This body organized a lock-out against the Broome pearlers last year and after six weeks won their point – a rise in wages for divers and crew operating the boats – a rise which was far from excessive in view of the enormous rises in pearl-shell prices in recent years. This naturally aroused hostility from the Pearlers Association of which Male of Streeter and Male is President. Accordingly, it was decreed that Sam and another (an Ambonese, whose name I haven't got here) are not allowed to work on boats belonging to members of the Pearlers’ Association and therefore, because they are not employed on the pearling industry are not allowed to remain in Australia. Sam is at present keeping himself as a barber. Both he and Johnnie (the other deportee) are extremely good types and the point is that another pearler here – a Greek not a member of the Association – is prepared to employ them on his boats. But the order has been given, the law is upheld and they must go.

The point I want to put before you is that, in their case, it is a clear triumph of an employers; organisation over the destinies of their employees. I might add that Sam served in the A.I.F. for over 100 days, was behind enemy lines as a spy.

Further I made very cautious enquiries about the Communist Party and from the way in which the answers were given I feel sure that these chaps are not connected with the Party. Thus Joe Totterdell's statement some time ago about Broome reeking with communism no doubt came from Strater and Male, or some other similar source, where everyone who protests against exploitation is dubbed a Commo.

Could Mr. Calwell be persu added [sic. persuaded] to give these chaps a certain time in which to find work in the pearling industry. You can take my word for it they are excellent types.

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I begin to see why the Australian soldiers in Java fell for the Indonesians and supported them in their attitude towards the Dutch. Both of these men will get jobs in the Government of Indonesia they expect, and I daresay they will, but the meantime Broome loses two good cogs in the pearling business and the later coloured folk who come to earn large profits for Strater and Male and that ilk (who risk nothing but their money in the game) will lose two capable advocates for the maintenance of fair and reasonable payment."

I would be grateful if you would examine this case.

Yours sincerely,

[handwritten signature, black ink:] Kim E. Beazley

[Underlined:] (KIM E. BEAZLEY)