A Swim in the Sun

In its self-consciously white isolation, Australia was long coolly scornful of its yellow-skinned Asiatic neighbors. But for the past few years, Australia's foreign policy toward its neighbors has become warm and friendly. This has brought a new embarrassment: Australia's immigration barriers are scarcely in keeping with its posture of neighborliness.

For 50 years, Down Under immigration laws have been operated to keep out all but a handful of Asians and Eurasians. Applicants for entry must, under present practice, prove at least 75% European blood. Even if they can establish their bloodlines, they must also look white, submit photographs to prove it. If they are not "predominantly European in habits and appearance" they do not get in.

This week, on his way home from a get-acquainted tour of Asia, new External Affairs Minister Percy Spender was bringing a policy puzzler in the case of John James Trench-Thiedemann of Ceylon. Eurasian Trench-Thiedemann had been refused entry to Australia, presumably on the basis of his dusky appearance. But his full brother, Duke, was admitted two years ago, has been living happily in the Melbourne suburb of Saint Kilda with his wife and two children. At Colombo two weeks ago, John Trench-Thiedemann was one of a mixed-blood deputation which waited on Spender, to ask that Australia limit the test for Eurasians to proof of their descent, without requiring "predominantly European features." Spender promised to see what could be done.

In the Melbourne auto plant where he works, brother Duke has been getting some sympathy. Said one Australian: "I wouldn't care if he was black as long as it didn't come off on the towel."

Said Duke: "For the last four years John has swum in the tropical sea four hours a day, and is burned almost black. He should never have swum in the sun."

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