asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the steamship "Oransay" called at Naples on 30th June and took on board 150 Italian migrants bound for Australia; and will he make representations to the Australian Government with a view to migrants from this country being given the preference to immigrants from other countries?

The UNDER-Secretary of State for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Lord Stanley):

I understand that 93 Italian passengers, of whom 65 are adults, are travelling by the steamship "Oronsay" to Australia, and that all are full fare-paying passengers. There are no restrictions upon the entry into Australia of full fare-paying passengers from this country other than the usual qualifications as to health, character and means, which are applicable to all migrants. The question of preference therefore does not seem to arise.

In view of the recent speech of the Premier of Australia on the subject of British migration, will the Secretary of State ascertain whether these Italian migrants are going to be in competition with British settlers in Australia?

Lord STANLEY:

I will try to get the information desired, but I am sure that my hon. Friend will appreciate that many of these southern Europeans who are used to a climate and standard of living different from our own, are prepared to accept work which our own people are not ready to undertake.