Until 1945, and the continuing threat of invasion by Asia, Australia's immigration policy had been one to accept only Western Europeans who conformed to the stereotypical mould of an Australian. As the reality of Australia's vulnerability was understood, the new Immigration minister, Arthur Calwell, formed the opinion that Australia must "populate or perish" as there were only 2.3 people to every square kilometer of Australian soil.
At his request, new immigrants from all over the world, besides Asia and Africa, were accepted warmly by the thousands. …
