DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: September 25, 1952
SUBJECT: Migration
PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Harold E. Holt, Australian Minister of Labor and Immigration Ambassador Spender, Australian Embassy The Secretary Mr. H. Raynor, Director, BNA
COPIES TO: S/S EUR UNA/R BAN E Embassy Canberra
After a cordial exchange of amenities Mr. Holt described what Australia had been doing in receiving immigrants from Europe and what he thought the problems were looking ahead. He stated that he was in Washington not to work out at this time any specific proposals or plans but to attempt to interest American officials in the problem so that he hoped he could go back to Australia knowing that there was an understanding here of it and a desire to see something done about it.
Following are the major points he made as to the problem:
1. This should be viewed as much as a means of helping Europe as of helping receiving countries such as Australia.
2. There is need for an international organization which would serve as a clearing house of information and a central coordinating point for the broad problem.
3. Some method of international financing to cover more than transportation costs is necessary. (In his view such a program would be self-liquidating over a period of time.)
- 2 -
From the strategic point of view, it is important to augment the European population in Australia.
I assured Mr. Holt that this government recognized the importance of the problem both from the angle of Europe and of the underdeveloped countries. I also said that I could see the desirability of some continuing international center to guide and coordinate the activity. I added that I felt certain he would encounter understanding of the problem and a desire to solve it not only in the Department of State but in all parts of the United States Government.
EUR:BNA:HRaynor:smw:snm