[Page 1]

Copy.

181 Sturt Street,

ADELAIDE,

9th August, 1937

Hon. E. Dwyer Gray,

The Hon. Member of the Federal House

representing Tasmania,

Parliament House,

CANBERRA. N.S.W.

Dear Sir:

I desire to notify you (and to beg your assistance in this matter) that, when I was in Bombay, India, some weeks ago, I met a respected lady who is of my own Islam faith, my own colour, and my own nationality. The lady concerned is Miss Ekbal Begam. She is of high standing, and her character, my dear sir, is irreproachable. When in India I caused an application to be made to the Commonwealth authorities asking for a passport to enable her to land in Australia. Up to the present, my application has not been successful. I have had no reply, but it is possible that my reply was sent to me in India after my departure for Australia. I can assure you, sir, that the good lady is not financially embarrassed, nor is she ever likely to become a burden on the State or the Commonwealth.

I understand that certain enquiries have been made regarding myself, relative to the application, but, as to the result of same, I am still unenlightened. For over forty years I have been a resident of Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and our own State of South Australia. During all that period I have been a law-abiding and loyal citizen, and, barring a technicality, approximately two years ago, when I was fined for holding myself out as a medical practitioner in Adelaide, I have always kept within the law. My benevolence over a number of years is known to all, and, independent of creed, I have helped charitable institutions with many thousands of pounds. For many years I was, and still am, as far as I am concerned, a close friend of the South Australian Commissioner of Police, General R.L. Leane, which I can vouch for by a monster petition, signed by the above-named gentleman, General Price Weir, and thousands of other eminent citizens, one of whom was no less person than Lady Gowrie (then Lady Hore-Ruthven) wife of then South Australian popular Governor, Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven).

In support of this my application, I would be prepared to hold myself financially responsible for any expenditure which may be incurred during the process of obtaining her passport. I can assure you, sir that Miss Ekbal Begam is a lady of wealth and good character, which, if necessary, can be verified by the authorities without much difficulty.

As I am an elderly man, well past the prime of life,

[Page] -2-

I feel that, in my declining years it is most desirable that an understanding lady of my own colour, creed and nationality should be with me to assist me with the special cooking so necessary for the observance of my Islam faith.

In all humility, I beg, sir, that your Government may see its way clear to accede to my reasonable request, and to permit this admirable citizen of the British Empire to enjoy the privilege which is undoubtedly her heritage in this land of freedom and British justice. I can assure you, sir, that should Miss Ekbal Begam come to South Australia, both she and myself would continue to live within the law, to assist in charities and endeavour to be an asset to this young land, so dearly loved by every British subject.

I am, Sir,

Yours in anticipation,

(Sgd.) MAHOMET ALLUM.