Dutch Leaving

Indonesia

40,000 For Western New Guinea

AVERY interesting migration of Dutch people from Java, has commenced, since the formation of “the Repub lic of the United States of Indonesia” was announced.

The Dutchmen —most desirable settlers —are seeking a new home; and it looks as if New Zealand will benefit. The Dutch might have been expected to move next door, into Australia: but they have not forgotten how Australia, guided and directed by its wharf labourers assisted the Indonesians against the Dutch, in 1946-49.

Further to AAP- Reuter reports from Batavia, advising the departure of two Skymasters, carrying Dutch ex-Service men migrating to New Zealand, it can be stated that another group of 100 Dutch migrants will probably be following in December or January.

The impression the first group of new settlers made, on arrival in Auckland, was so good that the New Zealand authorities immediately made application for a further batch of ex-soldiers.

Many thousands of Dutch soldiers in Indonesia will be demobilised within the coming six months, and a great number who realise the difficulties of making an existence in their already over-populated homeland are anxious to migrate to the South Pacific.

Some months ago, the Australian Press publicised plans then in preparation for the migration of a great number of Dutch ex-Servicemen to Australia, but nothing more has been heard of it. Probably the wharf labourers did not approve.

Move Into New Guinea

THE first plane carrying migrants from Indonesia to Dutch New Guinea was to leave Java about the middle of December, It is expected that before the end of 1949, 8,000 new settlers will arrive in Dutch New Guinea. Many others will follow during the first half of 1950, and present estimates are that a total number of 40,000 will then be reached.

The first arrivals will commence build ing houses and camps. They will settle in Sorrong, Manokwari and Hollandia, close to the border of Australian New Guinea.

IT was announced on November 29 that the Australian Waterside Workers’

Federation had graciously consented to discuss with other waterside unions a proposal that, as the Indonesians now have gained their independence, the ban upon working Dutch shipping in Austra lian ports should be lifted.

On December 3, a conference of 17 Aus tralian Unions decided to lift the Ban, at the request of the Waterside Workers’

Federation.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Dr. Evatt, nominally in charge of Australia’s foreign policy—and who. by permitting the waterside ban on Dutch ships, has clearly accepted his instructions from the Com munist-led waterside union—was fighting hard to retain his own seat of Barton in Sydney suburbs. The “wharfies’ ban” was being used against him; but, up to date, he had not been induced to say one word in defence of Australia’s attitude on the Dutch-Indonesian prob lem.

The waterside workers imposed the ban in September, 1945. Originally it applied to the export of war weapons to Indonesia.

In July, 1947, it was extended to all car goes. It is estimated that it has cost Australia £6O million worth of trade.