The Case of Tunica Y Casas

TjTOLLOWING questions asked in the -T House of Representatives in Octo ber (see “PIM” for December) the Australian Prime Minister made the following statement with regard to Tunica Y Casas and his wife, both form erly of Noumea.

Permission was given in 1937 for Casas, his wife and child, then French nationals, living m Noumea, to be admitted to Aus tralia. This permission was not availed of within the specified time. They finally came to Australia in August, 1946, on visitors’ vises, issued by the British Consul in Noumea. They have indicated their desire to remain in Australia for an indefinite period. Inquiries as to their activities and conduct while in Australia have been proceeding for some time and the action to be taken with regard to them will be decided when these investi gations are complete. They have not yet been granted permission to remain per manently. (Mr. Lang, Member for Reid, had asked, among other things, what was the con nection of Casas and his wife with the Communist Party.) Mrs. Isobel Jones and Mrs. Gwen Phill pott, both well-known residents of pre war Rabaul, will leave Sydney on the new Orient liner “Orcades” at the end of January. They expect to be away about nine months and will tour the United Kingdom and Europe.