[Letterhead:] DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION

Perth

O.I.C.

ENTRY POLICY BRANCH [underlined.]

I would like to bring to your notice that officers on duty aboard "Australia" at Fremantle on 15th December, 1967 commented on the appearance of a large number of migrants from Mauritius. It was considered that may were wholly non-European in appearance, of poor quality and that they would find it extremely difficult to integrate into the Australian community. [Sentence emphasised with vertical lines drawn in the margin.]

Photographs attached to Letters of Authority were a true likeness in regard to features but obviously has been treated to give an impression that the persons concerned were much lighter in skin-colouring. A number of persons within this category were apparently accepted as Europeans and not under terms of the mixed race policy as their authority for admission were endorsed "NIL" in the space provided for "special conditions".

The following passengers were specially mentioned for one or more of the above reasons:

B[name redacted], Louis Felix – from the island of Rodriquez – considered wholly non-European – shown as condition "H" – occupation Chief Headman.

H[name redacted], Henri and children – Non-European – Conditions "NIL" – aged 66 years – Govt. pensioner.

P[name redacted], Jean Harold – negroid features and colouring, crinkly close cropped hair – condition "H" – Wife however would qualify under mixed race policy.

V[name redacted], Andre Georges – wholly non-European in appearance – conditions "NIL" – 57 years of age – Coppersmith-Blacksmith – small in stature and seems certain to have difficulty with integration – hold funds of approximately $16.

W[name redacted], Renee Lydin and children – Non-European appearance – conditions "NIL".

No doubt these people are able to produce some evidence of European ancestry. However, selection of prospective migrants from Mauritius and Seychelles merely by photographs appears unsatisfactory and if we are intending to accept these people in increasing numbers in the future, interviewing by an Australian based or visiting officer would seem desirable.

Another rather large group arrived per "Queen Frederica" at Fremantle on Sunday 17th December, 1967 but overall were considered of better quality by comparison.

It was thought that arrival of relatively large groups of the standard of those migrants on the "Australis" may bring adverse comment on disembarkation at Eastern States ports. The vessel is scheduled to arrive at Melbourne on 19th December, 1967 and it is suggested that perhaps a Senior Officer of our Melbourne office could board the vessel to check the matters raised, if thought necessary.

[Handwritten signature:] E Sinclair

E. Sinclair

Acting Immigration Inspector [underlined.]

18th December, 1967