§ 28. Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether time-expired soldiers leaving India can go straight from India to New South Wales; if not, what are the regulations about this, and what amount of money are they required to possess before being allowed to go straight from India to New South Wales; and do these same regulations apply to other parts of Australia and to other parts of our Overseas Empire?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. In reply to the first and third parts, Army Regulations provide that soldiers leaving India on final discharge may, subject to the Commander-in-Chief's approval, proceed direct to any part of the Empire. In reply to the second part, there are no regulations restricting the immigration of discharged soldiers into New South Wales; but the New South Wales Government has hitherto refused assistance or encouragement to such immigrants unless they are men of approved health, character, and vigour, are not over forty years of age, are entitled to pension, and have £200 either in savings or in the form of commuted pension. I may add that I have seen a statement in the Australian Press that these conditions are now no longer to he insisted upon; but I have no official information to that effect, and am making inquiry.