The Social Contract, a serial published seasonally by the
Petoskey Press, 316-1/2 East Mitchell Street, Petoskey, MI 49770
($25 p.a., see also www.tscpress.com), devoted its Winter 1997-98
issue to many articles on "Australia's Identity Crisis."
A significant dialogue is now taking place in Australia on
whether there should be an immigration policy. One principle holds
that Australians, like other peoples, have a right to determine their
future national composition by controlling the mix of immigration;
factors that might be taken into account include geographic origin,
age, skills, living standard, wealth, health, family connections, and
others.
Another principle holds that Asia is where Australia's
security and prosperity lie; government action arising from this view
has raised the fraction of Australians of Asian ancestry from 2
percent in 1945 to 10 percent today. People from Asia make up 40
percent of the past decade's intake.
An immigration policy, if it were up for debate, would reveal
some opposition to the present geographic mix. The current government
practice of allocating land in perpetuity to some native peoples on a
race basis raises a dilemma for some, though, as with affirmative
action in the U.S., the beginnings were well intentioned.
The present dialogue has significance for other countries. In
certain respects Australia benefited historically from the prior
colonial experience in South Africa and North America. Two hundred
years elapsed between the first English landing in North America and
the first English settlement in Australia, so there was a lot of
colonial history to learn from as the new colonies were planted. The
abolition of slavery in 1833 and the American Civil War of 1861-65
were major lessons. Public discussion preceding the founding of the
Commonwealth of Australia 1n 1901 led to adoption of a constitution
that is the same as the American Constitution, save for features that
distinguish a monarchy from a republic.
As the Centenary of 2001 approaches public discussion is
building up again and more interesting dialogue will be emerging from
Australia.
Ron Bracewell, 1998 March 12
Ronald Hilton, 03/15/98
