IMMIGRATION FROM SHANGHAI

With reference to previous correspondence relative to the question
of the admission to Australia of European aliens resident in
Shanghai, the Minister has now given this matter his careful
consideration.

The reports furnished by Mr. O.C.W. Fuhrman, Australian Consul-
General at Shanghai, and Mr. L.A. Taylor, an officer of this
Department, who recently returned from that centre, have given the
Minister a full appreciation of the situation there and he
realises that in present circumstances it is not to be relied upon
as a source from which suitable migrants for Australia will
generally be forthcoming. He notes, however, that neither of these
officers wishes to convey the impression that all applicants from
Shanghai are potentially undesirable.

While appreciating the necessity for exercising the fullest
precautions the Minister feels that he would not be justified in
closing down entirely on immigration from Shanghai, as the
adoption of such a course would exclude persons with relatives in
Australia, who also came from Shanghai and have proved themselves
satisfactory migrants, from the opportunity of proving their
worthiness to settle in this country.

The Minister has approved that the following policy be adopted in
respect of immigration from Shanghai:-

(a) An interim quota of 300 displaced persons be admitted from
Shanghai;

(b) That the quota under (a) be spread over a period of twelve
months;

(c) That the fullest check be made of both the nominators in
Australia and the nominees in Shanghai before visas are issued;

(d) That all available resources open to the Consul-General be
used to check the credentials of nominees and that in this
connection the Consul-General endeavour to obtain the assistance
of both the British and American Security Services in Shanghai;

(e) That the immigration of Russians from Shanghai be suspended
for the time being, but exceptions to this rule may be made in
special cases where no security risks exist.

In view of the limited number of immigrants who will be admitted
from Shanghai during the ensuing twelve months it is not intended
to re-appoint an officer of this Department as Commonwealth
Migration Officer, Shanghai, for the time being. It will be
appreciated if, in the circumstances, you will agree to one of
your officers attached to the Consulate-General carrying out these
duties pending further consideration of the general position. [1]

[matter omitted]