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Deportation of migrant former navy officer, pearl diver
[Headline in larger text:] Lament for Malay Pearl-Diver
[Paragraph in bold text:] Samsudin bin Katib, the pearl-diver who is now at Broome awaiting deportation to Sumatra, joined the Australian Navy at the outbreak of war, volunteered later as a commando, served 199 days behind the Japanese lines, and gained non-commissioned rank. [End bold text.]
His story was told by the honorary secretary of the East-West Committee (Mrs Elizabeth Marshall), who said that her committee regretted the decision to deport Samsudin and his friend Pattiasina.
[The Minister for Immigration (Mr Calwell) said last week that Samsudin was being deported because he had failed to accept work at Broome.]
[Subheading:] HIGHER WAGES
Mrs Marshall, who is secretary of the East-West committee, said Samsudin was a Sumatran who was employed as a diver at Broome before the war.
"When war broke out," she said, "he joined the Australian Navy and served our country with distinction.
"After the war he came to Melbourne, and last year he returned to Broome as a diver. There he helped to form the Indonesia-Malay Association, of which he was elected president.
[Bold text:] "The objects of the association were to promote friendship among members and to combine for mutual benefit. [End bold.]
"Last year a company of lugger owners imported nine Malayans as crew-members at £4 a month. But the rate at which others had signed on for the 1947 season was £15 a month. The Indonesia-Malay Association – known as the IMA – succeeded in getting the Malayans the proper wage.
[Page 2.]
[Subheading:] 'CAUSED TROUBLE'
"When contracts for the 1948 season were being discussed, the Pearlers' Association – the owners' organisation – suggested reducing the wage to £10 a month. The IMA protested and £15 was again agreed upon.
"In February this year, Samsudin was told by a Customs officer at Broome that he was to be deported for having 'caused trouble.' He was flown to Perth. The Minister for Immigration (Mr Calwell) was informed and Samsudin was granted permission to remain.
[Bold text:] "He returned to Broome under engagement to Mrs Dakas. Mrs Dakas's husband told me over the phone that Samsudin was the best diver on the coast, and that he was 'a fine young man.'
[Subheading:] 'ALL REFUSED'
"But soon after arriving at Broome, Samsudin was told by Mrs Dakas that she could not continue to employ him unless he resigned from the IMA. When he refused, he was dismissed though he was willing to work in any capacity as a pearler, not necessarily a diver.
"All employers then refused to give him a job. Their attitude was the same towards Pattiasina, who is now secretary of the IMA, and was formerly in the Netherlands Navy and a prisoner-of-war.
"It seems clear that the Pearlers' Association is determined to destroy the IMA by deporting its president and secretary."
