CANBERRA, 19 October 1943

On 13th September, 1943, the Archbishop of Melbourne [1] forwarded
to the Prime Minister a report [2] prepared for him by Reverend
Father H. Modotti, S.J., pointing out that many Italian internees
after working in labour camps have been found medically unfit for
work and have been turned adrift in Australian cities, often many
miles from home and without medical attention, food or lodging.

Specific cases of severe hardship were quoted and it was urged
that it is the Federal Government's duty to return these people
back to their homes and families.

It was pointed out also that farms belonging to these people-were
going to ruin during their absence and that complaints were made
by Italian internees about the manner in which their properties
have been dealt with by the authorities.

The Archbishop proposed as a satisfactory solution to the problem
that pending the appointment of Consuls, the Government should
appoint an accredited Liaison Officer between the Government and
the Italian community, and that he would be prepared to nominate
an Italian who he thought would give complete satisfaction.

Appointment of Italian Liaison Officer
In regard to the question of the appointment of a Liaison Officer,
the name of Mr. G. Vaccari [3] was suggested to the Prime Minister
as being a suitable man for the position.

The representations by the Archbishop were referred to the
Minister for the Army, the Attorney-General and Minister for
External Affairs and the Security Service, together with the name
suggested to the Prime Minister.

The Attorney-General in reply [4] to this question stated in
effect that in his opinion security requirements would not be
lessened by such an appointment providing it is understood that
the appointee is to be regarded as an unofficial representative of
the Italians, and Naturalised British subjects of Italian origin,
in relation to security matters upon which his co-operation might
be useful. Dr. Evatt stated further that no objection would be
raised to Mr. Vaccari filling such an unofficial position.

On the 7th October, 1943, the Department of the Interior was
requested to bring the Attorney-General's views to the notice of
the Minister for the Interior in regard to the question of
consultative facilities and also in connection with the
possibility of the Allied Works Council desiring to nominate an
officer for direct approach to the proposed representative. [5]

The Director-General of Allied Works reported on individual cases
mentioned by Father Modotti and expressed the view that the
representations made related to naturalised British subjects
rather than to aliens called up under the Alien Service
Regulations in the Allied Works Council. [6]

The Secretary, Department of External Affairs, on the 15th
October, set out his comments on the matter to the effect that
Italian interests are at present being looked after by Swiss
Consul[ar] authorities, who have carried out this work
satisfactorily. In addition there is also an International Red
Cross delegate, Dr. G. W. Morel, who performs certain functions in
connection with prisoners of war and internees. The Secretary
added that to appoint an additional officer would result in
duplication and might imply that the two authorities mentioned
were not carrying out their functions satisfactorily. It was
pointed out that these authorities enjoy the confidence and
respect of the Italians. It was suggested by Colonel Hodgson that
Dr. Mannix might be advised of the foregoing so far as his
proposal is concerned. [7]

Return of Aliens to Queensland
The Secretary, Department of the Army, stated that his Department
would be glad to contribute in any way it could towards a solution
of the problem and on the question of the return of the Italians
to Queensland the following was suggested as a basis for
consideration:-

(a) Only those ex-internees who are virtually unemployable by
reason of age, injury or sickness should be permitted to return.

(b) Return of any individual should depend upon the Director-
General of Security being satisfied that he will not constitute a
security risk.

(c) No ex-internees should be permitted to return to those parts
of Queensland which have been declared Emergency Control areas.

[8]

The Director-General of Security stated that he was in complete
accord with the basis suggested by the Secretary, Department of
the Army, as explained in above paragraph, and that the release of
Italian internees is at the present time proceeding on that basis.

[9]