Younger Chinese Welcome

Move

ASIANS throughout Papua-New Guinea, particularly the young people, were pleased when the Minister for Territories, in Port Moresby, on June 18, announced that they would be given the oppor tunity to become naturalised as Australian citizens. (“Each case will be considered on its merits”).

Mr. Hasluck said that the majority of the Asians in the Territory were born in the Territory, and at pre sent had the status of “Australian protected persons.” The remainder comprised Asians who were resident in New Guinea in 1920, and Asians (mainly the wives and children of Asian residents), who were admitted into the Territory under exemp

tion in the late 30’s for temporary residence and who were still in the Territory at the time of the Jap anse invasion early in 1942.

The Government had decided to give to those Asian residents who were born in the Territory, and to those who were not born there but who were living there under no immigration restriction, the oppor tunity to become Australian citizens by naturalisation.

Where Australian citizenship was granted to an Asian resident, eligibility for similar status would be extended to his wife and chil dren resident in the Territory.

Mr. Hasluck said the Government had also decided that Asian residents of the Territory who had been admitted under exemption and who wished to continue to reside in the Territory would be permitted to remain.

A leading member of the Chinese community at Rabaul said that the announcement was particularly wel comed by the younger generation

because it meant an opportunity them to branch out in Australij stead of being restricted toi Territory.

A spokesman in Lae said most of the older generation their established businesses ini and would prefer to stay.

However, the announcement not please everyone.

Mr. R. F. Bunting, State Presi of the Papua-New Guinea s Branch of the RSS & AILA, in. on June 21, said: “Whilst the League apprec ; the motive of the Minister granting Australian citizen rights to many Asiatics in i Territories, it deplores the that native inhabitants livin a country to which they bs have not been included in privilege. The League spans the formation of a Native Servicemen’s Association thra out the Territory, member; which had volunteered and fa side by side with their Euroi counterparts, which could nc said of the war services of i of those to whom the (citizens privilege has been extended .

Other members of the RSSA said that this granting of natural tion probably contravened the "W Australia Policy. Others pointed anomalies—citing the cases of a of part-German-part-Malay des»; born in the Territory who was? eligible; and another born Filipino parents who was awaj the George Medal during the but who also will not benefit— Correspondent. t Mr. Nevil Shute Norway—bn known without the last name— Sydney with his wife in July fi “writing holiday” in Fiji. Christ Island (before the H-Bomb) already figured in one of Shi novels (In the Wet ); and Moresby has been wiped out in: latest (On the Beach ). What hor* Shutian catastrophe awaits Fix the next one coming up?