[Letterhead for the ‘EAST-WEST COMMITTEE’, Melbourne.]

20 Alma Road,

Camberwell

18th March 1948

Hon’ble [Honourable] A.A. Calwell,

Minister for Immigration,

Parliament House, CANBERRA [underlined.]

Dear Mr. Calwell,

First, I thank you for extending the permits of two Malayans who are working at the Austin Hospital.

I rang Miss Benson to see if you could spare me a few minutes. She says you will probably be in Melbourne next week, and suggests that I give you an indication of the matters I wish to discuss.

The chief matter (and I think I could be helpful here) is the position in Broome. I am in touch with Samsudin bin Katib, who despite anything the Shell Owners’ Association may say to the contrary, I have always found to be a sane and reasonable young man, who desires to work constitutionally. Owing to my long association with many of the Asiatic pearling seamen now in Broome, whose return there I arranged on behalf of your department, with the employers, I have all the details of the wages, bonuses and “lays” as agreed upon between the men and the employers. If I could give you this information it would provide a better picture of the whole situation for the Conciliation Commissioner.

There are other matters too, one concerning three packages, a sewing machine, and two bicycles belonging to the Malayan men from Melbourne, who were repatriated in the “Westralia”, which have been left behind in Kure, Japan, when they were transferred to the Devonshire. The Captain of that vessel refused to take them aboard. The men have written me from Singapore asking me to inform you of their distressing loss, and to beg you to help them to get their things back.

[Handwritten addition in blue pen next to paragraph above:] Separate memo sent to Canberra re this matter. [Illegible signature, dated:] 1/4/48

I shall be grateful if you will give me an interview. [Sentence underlined in black ink.]

[Annotated in black ink:] Miss Benson

Yours sincerely,

[Handwritten signature:] Elizabeth Marshall

Hon. Secretary