"White aliens": the control of European immigration to Australia 1920-30

The author reviews Australian and British policies restricting non-British immigration to Australia after World War I. "The intense desire in many quarters to maintain a 'white Australia' led not only to the active encouragement of British immigrants but to the restrictions and regulations upon European immigration in the period under review. These restrictions took two forms. Statutory powers of exclusion and restriction were conferred through...legislation.... At the same time...administrative techniques were used to limit further and control 'white alien' immigration. These techniques, such as quotas and the discretionary power of the Minister to limit visas and landing permits, changing in response to economic conditions and public opinion, were perhaps more important in the government's policy of ensuring Australia's racial purity."