[Letterhead in black ink shows the coat of arms of Australia and reads 'GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA', 'OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'.]

[Stamped in red ink: 'PRIME MINISTER'S DEPT', '5 MAR 25'. Handwritten on the stamp in black ink is the reference code 'B156/1/171'.]

[Stamped in red ink: 'REC'D 9 MAR 1925'.]

[Stamped in red ink: 'MAR 6- 1925'.]

January 29th, 1925.

No. 25/60. [underlined, centred]

The Rt. Hon. S. M. Bruce, P.C., M.P.,

Prime Minister of Australia,

Melbourne.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

[Underlined heading] Australian Immigration

With reference to the press reports which I read here regarding the arrival of certain immigrants from the Mediterranean countries, the Balkan and other adjacent countries, and the alleged disturbances which took place on their arrival, I deem it my duty to express some concern about the type of settler which is now going to Australia in numbers which surely must be larger than before, for the main reason that here in this country I see manifest and many examples of what America could have avoided had she taken the steps to control and direct her immigration long before she did.

I venture the suggestion that although Australia does need immigrants, it is better that insufficient numbers of the right sort should be obtained, rather than larger and more sufficient numbers (which include many of the wrong sort) [brackets added by hand in blue ink, with the addition ‘should be admitted’].

Thinking minds of this country very deeply appreciate and applaud the White Australian [sic] Policy, not only so far as it pertains to color [sic], but also so far as it includes discrimination towards immigrants from all countries of the world.

Very sincerely yours,

James Elder [handwritten signature]

Commissioner for Australia.

[Stamped in black ink: 'COPY TO H ? T'. Between the letters 'H' and 'T' is an illegible handwritten initial.]

[Stamped in red ink: 'MAR 6 – 1925'.]

JAME/HM