Comments on: Integration or Disintegration: A Test for Immigrants http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/ Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day... Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:39:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Peter Rice http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/comment-page-1/#comment-685 Peter Rice Sun, 17 Sep 2006 06:08:19 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/#comment-685 The years of multicuturalism are beginning to fade as migrants are now radily accepted into our society. The John Howard suggestions have all been extensively considered before by the various committees and councils trying to work out the best way to go in the interests of Aus and people approved for permanent residence in this country. Much has alresdy been done and one principal stands out (as a member of the (then) Department of Immigration for 14 years), and that is if the children of migrants are educated in Australian schools they quickly pick up the languages, the values and the history (if it is being taught). The big problem for the Federal Government is one of being able to encourage people from other countries to apply to come. With a low birthrate, we must have a significant inflow of migrants every year, say 125,000. Otherwise our population goes into quite serious decline. English as a second language classes must be available so more cost may be involved, not only for ordinary people but for highly skilled and professional people - in their skills! So much more cost is involved if we are to do things properly. I think there needs to be an examination by competent people (dare I say experts), in the various suggestions being made. Some references come to mind: Past records of the Immigration Advisory Council, Immigration Planning Council, Immigration Education Act and even the old Good Neighbour Council's annual reports. A considerable amount of publicity surrounded material made available to and for migrants so the Immigration Publicity Council could show what has been done in the past and today. And one publication could be helpful if it is still available: "ALIEN To CITIZEN" by Ann-Marie Jordens, Allen & Unwin, 1997. Peter Rice  The years of multicuturalism are beginning to fade as migrants are now radily accepted into our society. The John Howard suggestions have all been extensively considered before by the various committees and councils trying to work out the best way to go in the interests of Aus and people approved for permanent residence in this country. Much has alresdy been done and one principal stands out (as a member of the (then) Department of Immigration for 14 years), and that is if the children of migrants are educated in Australian schools they quickly pick up the languages, the values and the history (if it is being taught). The big problem for the Federal Government is one of being able to encourage people from other countries to apply to come. With a low birthrate, we must have a significant inflow of migrants every year, say 125,000. Otherwise our population goes into quite serious decline. English as a second language classes must be available so more cost may be involved, not only for ordinary people but for highly skilled and professional people – in their skills! So much more cost is involved if we are to do things properly. I think there needs to be an examination by competent people (dare I say experts), in the various suggestions being made. Some references come to mind: Past records of the Immigration Advisory Council, Immigration Planning Council, Immigration Education Act and even the old Good Neighbour Council’s annual reports. A considerable amount of publicity surrounded material made available to and for migrants so the Immigration Publicity Council could show what has been done in the past and today. And one publication could be helpful if it is still available: “ALIEN To CITIZEN” by Ann-Marie Jordens, Allen & Unwin, 1997.

Peter Rice 

]]> By: Erik Werps, Melbourne http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/comment-page-1/#comment-683 Erik Werps, Melbourne Sat, 16 Sep 2006 14:12:34 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/#comment-683 Thirty one years ago I received my Certificate of Australian Citizenship after arrival from Europe three years before that. In order to receive this certificate and the benefits of being an Australian, I was invited to make an oath of allegiance. I also chose to forego my European nationality. My thinking was, if I am going to make a go of this, I will go all the way. None of this carrying dual nationalities and multiple passports. The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary describes allegiance as: 1. loyalty (to a person or cause etc.) 2. the duty of a subject to a sovereign or government. How many people have come to call Australia home over all these years? Many thousands! The majority of us have accepted Australian values and standards, got on with our jobs and contributed to the common wealth and well being of this great country. Why is it that only in the last ten or so years some of the new arrivals have refused to integrate? Insisting to be different in so many ways? Where is their loyalty and allegiance to Australia? In all their behaviour I read defiance instead of allegiance. Why do they expect to be treated differently than those who have come before them? I agree with our Prime Minister's suggestions. Someone once said: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Erik Werps, Melbourne Thirty one years ago I received my Certificate of Australian Citizenship after arrival from Europe three years before that. In order to receive this certificate and the benefits of being an Australian, I was invited to make an oath of allegiance.

I also chose to forego my European nationality. My thinking was, if I am going to make a go of this, I will go all the way. None of this carrying dual nationalities and multiple passports.

The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary describes allegiance as: 1. loyalty (to a person or cause etc.) 2. the duty of a subject to a sovereign or government.

How many people have come to call Australia home over all these years? Many thousands! The majority of us have accepted Australian values and standards, got on with our jobs and contributed to the common wealth and well being of this great country.

Why is it that only in the last ten or so years some of the new arrivals have refused to integrate? Insisting to be different in so many ways? Where is their loyalty and allegiance to Australia? In all their behaviour I read defiance instead of allegiance. Why do they expect to be treated differently than those who have come before them?

I agree with our Prime Minister’s suggestions.

Someone once said: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

Erik Werps, Melbourne

]]> By: P Donald http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/comment-page-1/#comment-681 P Donald Sat, 16 Sep 2006 06:44:20 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/#comment-681 It is just common sense. Why migrate to a country if you don't want to be a part of it? It is plain stupid to move to a country you despise -- unless, of course, it has good medical & social security benefits & permits migrants to plot its disintegration. P Donald, Melbourne It is just common sense. Why migrate to a country if you don’t want to be a part of it? It is plain stupid to move to a country you despise — unless, of course, it has good medical & social security benefits & permits migrants to plot its disintegration.

P Donald, Melbourne

]]> By: June Westbury http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/comment-page-1/#comment-680 June Westbury Sat, 16 Sep 2006 06:43:27 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/#comment-680 I agree very strongly with Prime Minister Howard's suggestions to assist intergration of immigrants. It is well thought through, very much good old-fashioned common sense,& in a sensible society with no personal axe to grind, I think it should be welcomed & applauded. We need a united Australia, not a country divided by strong commitment to foreign values, & I use the word "foreign" advisedly, as Australia as we have enjoyed her for many, many decades will shortly cease to exist. June Westbury I agree very strongly with Prime Minister Howard’s suggestions to assist intergration of immigrants. It is well thought through, very much good old-fashioned common sense,& in a sensible society with no personal axe to grind, I think it should be welcomed & applauded. We need a united Australia, not a country divided by strong commitment to foreign values, & I use the word “foreign” advisedly, as Australia as we have enjoyed her for many, many decades will shortly cease to exist.

June Westbury

]]> By: Lyle Hutchinson http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/comment-page-1/#comment-679 Lyle Hutchinson Sat, 16 Sep 2006 06:30:26 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/16/integration-or-disintegration-a-test-for-immigrants/#comment-679 "A city divided against itself cannot stand." As an Aussie I feel honoured when a foreigner makes an effort to learn basic English & about my country’s history. It tells me they want to experience this country & not just live in it. People come to Australia because of our unique qualities and we should celebrate & encourage others to do also. I live & work in an environment where people who have English as a second language when they come to live our community for training are taught to share common values & are strongly encouraged & helped to improve their level of English. Why, because communication between two cultures is a two way street & it promotes understanding & stronger relationships. We do have people who are translators but it’s hard work. So stop the P.C and give people an opportunity to show how serious they are about taking on citizenship. Lyle Hutchinson “A city divided against itself cannot stand.” As an Aussie I feel honoured when a foreigner makes an effort to learn basic English & about my country’s history. It tells me they want to experience this country & not just live in it. People come to Australia because of our unique qualities and we should celebrate & encourage others to do also.
I live & work in an environment where people who have English as a second language when they come to live our community for training are taught to share common values & are strongly encouraged & helped to improve their level of English. Why, because communication between two cultures is a two way street & it promotes understanding & stronger relationships. We do have people who are translators but it’s hard work. So stop the P.C and give people an opportunity to show how serious they are about taking on citizenship.

Lyle Hutchinson

]]>