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Discouraging service personnel from marrying Asian women
[Underlined heading:] Marriages between Service Personnel and Asians.
I refer to your memorandum of 4th December, reference 5461 relative to the above.
The proposals submitted by the Department of Air have been considered by my Minister and he has approved that the following advice be furnished to you –
(1) The Department supports the suggestion of the Department of the Air that steps be taken to discourage marriages between Service personnel and Asians and feels that this principle should apply equally to all members of the Australian Forces.
(2) A Commanding Officer when interviewing a serviceman contemplating such a marriage should make it clear to the serviceman that –
(a) the marriage gives no claim to the non-European party or the children, if any, to settle in Australia and possible difficulties could arise in that regard if marriage eventuates;
(b) if the marriage does take place and the entry of the non-European party to Australia is sought, special approval of the Department of the Immigration must be obtained. Before considering any such application that Department will require the production of evidence to satisfy itself that the marriage is a valid one, the non-European party and children, if any, are suitable for admission to Australia, and the husband will be able to maintain and provide suitable accommodation for his dependents in Australia.
(3) In cases where marriage takes place, the question of the entry of the non-European parties will be considered on receipt of the following –
(a) evidence that a marriage ceremony has taken place;
(b) evidence that suitable accommodation is available and that the husband is in a position to maintain his wife and children, if any;
(c) evidence that the non-European parties are in sound health to include radiological evidence of healthy lungs;
(d) a character report from the serviceman’s commanding officer;
(e) full particulars of the wife and children, if any, including full name, date and place of birth, nationality, race, present address and evidence of good character (references should be furnished whenever possible).
In all cases enquiries will be made in regard to the security aspect.
I would appreciate advice as to whether your Minister concurs with the action proposed.
