Australian Trade Union Council Asks Government to Admit Jews to Kimberly

The executive committee of the Australian Council of Trade Unions today voted to ask the Australian Government to withdraw its opposition to the project for establishing a Jewish settlement in the Kimberly section of north-western Australia by allowing mass-immigration of Jews there.

The labor body executive stated that it fully supports the project. It emphasized that Jews deserve a refuge in a democratic country and that Australia would only benefit from the foundation of a Jewish settlement such as the one proposed by Dr. I. N. Steinberg, head of the Jewish Freeland League, who is now in the United States.

The Anglican Bishop of Sydney, C. Pilcher, published a letter today in the Morning Herald stating that the Government’s rejection of the Kimberly settlement “cries aloud for reconsideration.” Bishop Pilcher points out that Australia desperately needs population and development of its open areas, as well as the introduction of capital, with a consequent increase in internal trade.

In its lead editorial today the Herald says that only by such group settlement is it possible that remote and unpopulated areas, such as the Kimberlys, can ever be developed. “The scheme for a Jewish settlement has been given much study by all political parties and has received generous support from private citizens here and abroad, from public organizations, and from the West Australian government,” the newspaper said. “The Federal Government can hardly be allowed to reject the scheme without an explanation or without comment.”

Meanwhile, it was announced today that the Australian government has granted a permit to the Australian Jewish Society to bring to Australia 300 Austrian, German, Polish and French children between the ages of seven and 14. The children are in Switzerland awaiting selection and transportation.