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Marital status of women travelling to Australia for education
Memorandum for the Australian Commissioner, Singapore.
[stamp for the Department of Immigration Canberra. Inside in handwritten blue ink reads '50/2/2441']
50/2/6022
1st May, 1951.
[underlined] MEMORANDUM:
Australian Commissioner,
[underlined] SINGAPORE.
[underlined] Anne LAU YOKE LING – (Anne LAW)
I refer to my cablegram 550 authorising the [handwritten blue ink] admission of [end handwritten] abovenamed to attend the Melbourne Conservatorium of music.
Miss Law on her arrival was in possession of a valid British passport issued in her married name, Mrs. Ng Teck Eng, and endorsed by your office. This was the first indication this Department had that Miss Law was married. Had this fact been known to the Department her entry for educational purposes would not have been authorised.
As Miss Law has commenced her studies it has been decided to allow her to remain here to continue her course.
However, in future facilities for travel to Australia for educational purposes should not be granted to married women when this Department is not aware of the applicants marital status.
(T. H. E. HEYES)
[underlined] Secretary.
[handwritten] [unclear] Aust commissioners, Singapore, Instructor [unclear] 2/5
