How many people can still remember taking their first step on to Australian soil after walking down one of these gangways?
|
In the post World War Two years, Australia's population was stagnating. There was fear of the 'yellow peril' to the north and the catch cry was 'populate or perish'.
The 'white Australia policy' whose origins could be traced back to 1901 was still very much in force so it was decided to encourage British migrants to Australia by subsidising their fares. The normal cost of a passage to Australia was about 120 pounds, the Australian Government subsidised 110 pounds of this meaning immigrants were only paying 10 pounds to get here.
The only catch was that if you took up the offer you had to stay at least two years before deciding to return or you would have to pay the full fare home yourself.
During the 1950s and 60s around 1 million Britons emigrated to Australia with some 25% deciding that life in Australia was not for them and returning home. (These were always referred to by Australians as the 'whinging Poms' and many of them deserved the name.)
Originally it was expected that 70,000 Britons a year would come to Australia but in the first year alone 400,000 applied. During the 1950s wages in Australia were some 50% higher than those in England (especially for tradesmen) and this plus the outdoor free and easy lifestyle Australia had to offer was very attractive to many young men and women.
1968 was the peak year of immigration with 600,000 Britons arriving. The scheme was gradually phased out in the 1980s but now (2007) there is talk of reviving the idea once again.
As a 'ten pound pom' myself I can still remember the excitement of travelling to a new, unknown land. Most of us who arrived are very grateful to Australia for the opportunity we were given. Speaking personally I wound never dream of living anywhere but Australia. |
