Neelima Kanwar* 70

47 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 69. The Deccan Chronicle, October 10, 2011. NEELIMA KANWAR* 70. The New Indian Express, July 13, 2011 71. Strategic Digest, May 2011, p. 399. Look here You have never seen this country, It's not the way you thought it was, Look again. (Al Purdy)

Contemporary Australia is a land of varied cultures inhabited by the Aboriginals, the Whites and non-White immigrants. The Indigenous people of Australia have been dominated by the Whites since the very arrival of the Whites. They have not only been colonized but have been permanently rendered as a marginalized minority group. Even in the present times; their predicament has not changed much. They are still under the control of the Whites while limiting the Aboriginal people to the periphery of the continent have occupied the central position. Since the early 1970s, Australia has experienced multiple waves of immigration from Southeast Asia which have transformed the character of Australian society more radically than the earlier post-war immigration from Southern Europe. These non- white/coloured immigrants have remained sympathetic towards the original inhabitants in their new found home. However, the social positioning of these coloured people has somehow followed the same pattern as of the Aboriginals. They

* Dr. Neelima Kanwar, Associate Professor, Department of English, International Centre for Distance Education and Open Learning (ICDEOL), Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. 49 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 50 too have been pressurized to abandon and forget their own “ …this country shall remain forever the home of the native culture in an alien land which they have sought to make descendants of those people who came here in peace in order to their second home. Nevertheless, the coloured people have an establish in the South Seas an outpost of the British race.” advantage over the Indigenous people because of their (John Curtin) education. When the Whites arrived in Australia the Aboriginal The words of Australian Prime Minister John Curtin after the people were illiterate and uneducated (in the formal sense of outbreak of war with Japan reflect the philosophy of 'White education). It were the Whites who taught them to read and Australia'- the name given to Australian immigration policy write whereas the coloured people were armed with education, from federation until the 1960s.The origins of the 'White could express themselves in writing and had greater awareness. Australia'ploicy can be traced to the 1850s. As a result of the Thus, they could not be reduced to the same status and plight as discovery of gold in Australia, Chinese came to the continent in the Indigenous inhabitants. Still, the White Australians large numbers. Chinese diggers were very industrious and hard dominated the non-whites and did not allow them to fetch a working. White miners, who had also arrived there in search of superior position and place in the Australian society. gold, were full of resentment towards the Chinese diggers. This Present day multicultural Australia, thus, incorporates the resentment culminated in the violence of the Buckland River in Aboriginals, Whites and non-whites. However, for these three Victoria and at Lambing Flat (now Young) in New South Wales. components of Australian society the notion of home and Therefore, the governments of these two colonies introduced integration remains distinct and different.The present paper restrictions on Chinese immigration. Later, it was the turn of focuses on three short stories from the collection Home and indentured labourers from the South Sea Island of the Pacific in Away: Australian Stories of Belonging and Alienation edited by Northern Queensland. These labourers were known as Bruce Bennett and Susan Hayes. All the stories written between 'Kanakas'. Factory workers in the South became vehemently 1920s and 1990s have the subject matter ranging from colonial to opposed to all forms of immigration. They thought that the huge post-colonial times and from notions of 'White' to 'Multicultural' influx of non-White immigrants into Australia might threaten Australia. These three stories Alexandra Hasluck's 'The Shade their jobs. The factory workers believed that the non-White of Difference', Robert Drew's 'The Needle Story' and Vasso immigrants would accept a lower standard of living and would Kalamara's 'The Fence' are unified in their reaction to racism and easily work for lower wages thereby, depriving them of their inhumanity practiced by the White Australians towards the jobs. non-whites. Also alienation from the culture and the White During the Second World War, many non-White refugees society form the focus of these narrations which makes it entered Australia. Most of them left voluntarily after the war, difficult for the coloured people to integrate with the but many had married Australians and wanted to stay. In the mainstream Australian society. words of 49 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 50 too have been pressurized to abandon and forget their own “ …this country shall remain forever the home of the native culture in an alien land which they have sought to make descendants of those people who came here in peace in order to their second home. Nevertheless, the coloured people have an establish in the South Seas an outpost of the British race.” advantage over the Indigenous people because of their (John Curtin) education. When the Whites arrived in Australia the Aboriginal The words of Australian Prime Minister John Curtin after the people were illiterate and uneducated (in the formal sense of outbreak of war with Japan reflect the philosophy of 'White education). It were the Whites who taught them to read and Australia'- the name given to Australian immigration policy write whereas the coloured people were armed with education, from federation until the 1960s.The origins of the 'White could express themselves in writing and had greater awareness. Australia'ploicy can be traced to the 1850s. As a result of the Thus, they could not be reduced to the same status and plight as discovery of gold in Australia, Chinese came to the continent in the Indigenous inhabitants. Still, the White Australians large numbers. Chinese diggers were very industrious and hard dominated the non-whites and did not allow them to fetch a working. White miners, who had also arrived there in search of superior position and place in the Australian society. gold, were full of resentment towards the Chinese diggers. This Present day multicultural Australia, thus, incorporates the resentment culminated in the violence of the Buckland River in Aboriginals, Whites and non-whites. However, for these three Victoria and at Lambing Flat (now Young) in New South Wales. components of Australian society the notion of home and Therefore, the governments of these two colonies introduced integration remains distinct and different.The present paper restrictions on Chinese immigration. Later, it was the turn of focuses on three short stories from the collection Home and indentured labourers from the South Sea Island of the Pacific in Away: Australian Stories of Belonging and Alienation edited by Northern Queensland. These labourers were known as Bruce Bennett and Susan Hayes. All the stories written between 'Kanakas'. Factory workers in the South became vehemently 1920s and 1990s have the subject matter ranging from colonial to opposed to all forms of immigration. They thought that the huge post-colonial times and from notions of 'White' to 'Multicultural' influx of non-White immigrants into Australia might threaten Australia. These three stories Alexandra Hasluck's 'The Shade their jobs. The factory workers believed that the non-White of Difference', Robert Drew's 'The Needle Story' and Vasso immigrants would accept a lower standard of living and would Kalamara's 'The Fence' are unified in their reaction to racism and easily work for lower wages thereby, depriving them of their inhumanity practiced by the White Australians towards the jobs. non-whites. Also alienation from the culture and the White During the Second World War, many non-White refugees society form the focus of these narrations which makes it entered Australia. Most of them left voluntarily after the war, difficult for the coloured people to integrate with the but many had married Australians and wanted to stay. In the mainstream Australian society. words of 51 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 52

Louis Becke: large numbers crossed this estimate. Almost one in four of Return? Not they! they go back? Here they had all Australia's twenty million people was born overseas. Historian things which are wont to satisfy man here below. A Geoffrey Blainey expresses severe misgivings about trends in paradise of Eden- like beauty, amid which they Asian immigration to Australia when he says: wandered day by day unheeding of the morrow; Australia in the next decade will be under heavy food, houses, honours, wives, friends, kinsfolk ,all pressure to accept more and more immigrants from provided for them in unstinted abundance,and nearer Asia, and especially from Hong Kong. The certain continuity, by the guileless denizens of these possibility of uncontrolled immigration cannot be fairly isles amid this charmed main.(Bennett,56). dismissed.…Australia can gain much from However, Arthur Calwell, the first Immigration Minister, was sensible, selective migration from parts of Asia. But determined to deport them, arousing much protest. massive or inappropriate Asian Migration-in defiance of public opinion could prove a disaster The first step towards a non-discriminatory immigration policy (11-12). was taken by Minister Holt in 1949. He allowed about eight hundred non-European refugees to stay in Australia. The next In spite of Blainey's apprehension, the number of arriving major step was in 1957, when non-Europeans with fifteen years settlers totaled. 88,900 in 2001-2002 and the figure kept on residence in Australia were allowed to become Australian increasing with every passing year. Three stories from a perfect citizens. The restrictions on the immigration of non-Europeans whole articulate the attitude of the Whites towards the non- were also eased. The March 1966 announcement which favored White immigrants living in Australia. the immigration of non-Europeans was the watershed in The White Australians took upon themselves the task of writing abolishing the 'White Australia' policy. This resulted in the the history of Australia in English language. They used the increase of immigration from non-European countries such as English language as a device to voice their feelings and attitudes New Zealand, the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, India towards the indigenous inhabitants as well as towards the non- and Indonesia. A setback was given to this immigration by the White immigrants. The Whites dominated not only the Whitlam government which reduced the overall immigration Aboriginals but also the non-Whites. The non-White immigrants intake. An increase in the number and percent of migrants from were not allowed free access to land in Australia. They had to non-European countries did not take place until after the Fraser face a lot of problems to pay the price for leaving their own government came into office in 1975. In 1978, far-reaching new country. The Whites did not want the non-whites to level them policies and programmes were adopted as a frame work for the in Australian society resorted to subjugating and suppressing development of the Australian people as a whole. Although it them. The experience and language of non-Whites was denied was projected that Asians would make up only four percent of and despised. The White settlers forced their own perception of the Australian population by 2000, their arrival in relatively Australia on them. In the words of David Malouf: “They 51 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 52

Louis Becke: large numbers crossed this estimate. Almost one in four of Return? Not they! they go back? Here they had all Australia's twenty million people was born overseas. Historian things which are wont to satisfy man here below. A Geoffrey Blainey expresses severe misgivings about trends in paradise of Eden- like beauty, amid which they Asian immigration to Australia when he says: wandered day by day unheeding of the morrow; Australia in the next decade will be under heavy food, houses, honours, wives, friends, kinsfolk ,all pressure to accept more and more immigrants from provided for them in unstinted abundance,and nearer Asia, and especially from Hong Kong. The certain continuity, by the guileless denizens of these possibility of uncontrolled immigration cannot be fairly isles amid this charmed main.(Bennett,56). dismissed.…Australia can gain much from However, Arthur Calwell, the first Immigration Minister, was sensible, selective migration from parts of Asia. But determined to deport them, arousing much protest. massive or inappropriate Asian Migration-in defiance of public opinion could prove a disaster The first step towards a non-discriminatory immigration policy (11-12). was taken by Minister Holt in 1949. He allowed about eight hundred non-European refugees to stay in Australia. The next In spite of Blainey's apprehension, the number of arriving major step was in 1957, when non-Europeans with fifteen years settlers totaled. 88,900 in 2001-2002 and the figure kept on residence in Australia were allowed to become Australian increasing with every passing year. Three stories from a perfect citizens. The restrictions on the immigration of non-Europeans whole articulate the attitude of the Whites towards the non- were also eased. The March 1966 announcement which favored White immigrants living in Australia. the immigration of non-Europeans was the watershed in The White Australians took upon themselves the task of writing abolishing the 'White Australia' policy. This resulted in the the history of Australia in English language. They used the increase of immigration from non-European countries such as English language as a device to voice their feelings and attitudes New Zealand, the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, India towards the indigenous inhabitants as well as towards the non- and Indonesia. A setback was given to this immigration by the White immigrants. The Whites dominated not only the Whitlam government which reduced the overall immigration Aboriginals but also the non-Whites. The non-White immigrants intake. An increase in the number and percent of migrants from were not allowed free access to land in Australia. They had to non-European countries did not take place until after the Fraser face a lot of problems to pay the price for leaving their own government came into office in 1975. In 1978, far-reaching new country. The Whites did not want the non-whites to level them policies and programmes were adopted as a frame work for the in Australian society resorted to subjugating and suppressing development of the Australian people as a whole. Although it them. The experience and language of non-Whites was denied was projected that Asians would make up only four percent of and despised. The White settlers forced their own perception of the Australian population by 2000, their arrival in relatively Australia on them. In the words of David Malouf: “They 53 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 54

{immigrants}had always had in mind a picture they had brought was not recognized as a 'treatment' in Australia. He had cured a from “home”, orderly fields divided by hedgerows, to which the lot of patients by using acupuncture but when he was arrested, present landscape, by planning and shaping, might one day be all the people turned against him. No one came to his help or made to approximate (67). spoke in his favour. It is a paradox that the people who lost faith In order to convert Australia into a land of Whites, the White in him were those who “Came to him as a last resort and from all immigrants thought of “breeding out the colour” by adopting over the state”. (70) This shows the disbelief of the White the policy of racism. This racism was also a part of the Australian Australians in the non-White immigrants. Although the White immigration policy. Peter Carey satirizes the Australian immigrants have allowed the non-White immigrants to settle in government's immigration policy with these words: “The Australia but they could never vest their trust and belief in them Australian government, having regard for the colour of Mr. Lo's and have always been racist towards them .The Whites do not skin and the shape of his eyes did not wish him to stay” accept acupuncture as it is a Chinese technique to cure ailments. (Carey,15). It is not only the society that is racist but the legal system of the The Whites deny practicing racism, although it is rampant in land is also steeped in racism. Even the law is not in favour of the Australia. No matter how much they pretend to be tolerant, their non-White immigrants. The police take undue advantage of its racism is evident. Racism forms the backdrop of the trilogy of the position. “The Needle 'Story”' depicts the racism of the police stories, namely, “The Needle 'Story”', The Shade of Difference” through the incidents preceding the second arrest of Walter Lee. and 'the Fence”. In “The Needle 'Story”', Robert Drewe's gear of The Police have no search warrant and yet they enter Lee's satire is directed against racist attitudes and a narrow chamber smoking cigarettes. They tell the patients to go home. provincialism of outlook at the highest levels of society The police “took away all Walter's files and patients records, his including doctors, lawyers, journalists and civil servants. Robert account and receipt books and any reference to the word Drewe presents a narrative with several strands and time shifts 'acupuncture'. They confiscated twelve acupuncture needles which maintain immediacy, and builds towards a sense of ironic and two syringes. And they arrested him” (Drewe 75).Racism tragedy. It is centered around Walter Lee, a Chinese doctor from practiced by the White Australians in the legal system is brought Malaysia. The story is narrated by his wife, Christina to a TV out by the views of Christina. She feels that her husband has reporter, when Christina is just about to level Australia, with the been unjustly treated by court and the police. Walter's friends, ashes of her husband. The story unfolds the journey of the family colleagues and all “those familiar with the facts” (71) felt the from acceptance into the White society to non-acceptance, same. Thus, Christina says, “the circumstances and the lack of culminating in suicide by Walter Lee. concern shown to my husband in the investigations which resulted in his being arrested and charged do not appear to be Walter, who “was a local pioneer in the use of acupuncture” just”(70). (Drewe, 'The Needle Story', 70) enjoyed a great reputation. Later, he was arrested by the police for using acupuncture, because it Another instance which proves the racist attitude of the White 55 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 56 immigrants is provided when Walter is arrested. Christina immense force has been put by Hannah on nationality of wondered: “why it took so many police to arrest a short, Kitchilan. When Hannah heard him tell to her in a most harmless doctor, why he had been locked up and and the bail shameful manner she realized that “certainly he was not was set at 60,000”(70). Racial bias is also a part and parcel of the Australian her face showed her distress, and her withdrawal court proceedings in the story. In the court, Walter was not given from him” (11). Australian here refers to those people who adopt a chance to defend himself. “..he was not required to plead and and follow the mannerisms and mode of life of the White was remanded to appear again in another eight days while the Australians. Hannah's dejection at her knowledge of Kitchilan's prosecution organized its case”(76). Thus, the story outlines the identity clearly brings out the racism engrained in her. racist attitude of the Whites not only social sphere but also in the Racial prejudice is also exhibited by the court and the judge law and order system of the land. deciding the case of Kitchilan. During the trial, it is revealed that Another story, 'The shade of Difference' by Alexandra Hasluck is Kitchilan belonged to Ceylon, but he referred to himself as an also a record of the court trials in Australia. Like “The Needle Asiatic. When he entered the court “Everyone was against him 'Story”', here, too the White immigrants and the court are because of his colour”(15). The discrimination faced by presented as being racist towards the non-white immigrants. Kitchilan as a result of his dark colour is similar to the The protagonist, Hannah Sweetacres is a thirty-eight year old discrimination faced by the Aboriginals in the Whites- woman, who has made an isolated farmhouse in Australia's dominated Australia. Just as the Aboriginal people who are south-west her home after the death of her father. The arrival of a sidelined to establish a 'White Australia', the non-whites are also mysterious, dark stranger at the farmhouse exposes Hannah's marginalized. The judge, showing his racist attitude told him loneliness and vulnerability. She invites the stranger to stay with that he had been treated just “as White man would have been her in the house and rest of the story is an illustration of the treated”(15). The judge added, “You have had a fair trial, and events which ultimately lead to her murder by the stranger. The have been found guilty of a premeditated and cold-blooded” racist attitude of the White is exhibited by Hannah and the judge. murder of a woman who,.. showed you nothing but Hannah, on looking at Louis de Kitchilan, was not sure whether kindness”(15). Thus, “The Shade of Difference” brings out the he was an Australian or not, but she thought “He might be, racism which is inherent in the nature of the Whites. Hannah is rather sunburnt” (HaslucK , 'The Shade of Difference',5). Here, hospitable to everyone who comes to her house irrespective of Hannah is more concerned with colour of his skin rather than race, yet she shows streaks of the characteristic racism adopted man himself. Hannah allowed Kitchilan to stay with her house. by the Whites in her preference for the Australians only. She was attracted to him and was curious to know about him. The story “The Fence” by Vasso Kalamaras, is a third person Her racist attitude is again highlighted by her queries about narrative which revolves around a woman, who has immigrated Kitchilan, “Where he came from, what he was doing, how long from Greece to Australia along with her husband Lias. They live he would stay, and most of all, what nationality was he?” (7) An on an isolated farm completely broken off from the world. 55 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 56 immigrants is provided when Walter is arrested. Christina immense force has been put by Hannah on nationality of wondered: “why it took so many police to arrest a short, Kitchilan. When Hannah heard him tell to her in a most harmless doctor, why he had been locked up and and the bail shameful manner she realized that “certainly he was not was set at 60,000”(70). Racial bias is also a part and parcel of the Australian her face showed her distress, and her withdrawal court proceedings in the story. In the court, Walter was not given from him” (11). Australian here refers to those people who adopt a chance to defend himself. “..he was not required to plead and and follow the mannerisms and mode of life of the White was remanded to appear again in another eight days while the Australians. Hannah's dejection at her knowledge of Kitchilan's prosecution organized its case”(76). Thus, the story outlines the identity clearly brings out the racism engrained in her. racist attitude of the Whites not only social sphere but also in the Racial prejudice is also exhibited by the court and the judge law and order system of the land. deciding the case of Kitchilan. During the trial, it is revealed that Another story, 'The shade of Difference' by Alexandra Hasluck is Kitchilan belonged to Ceylon, but he referred to himself as an also a record of the court trials in Australia. Like “The Needle Asiatic. When he entered the court “Everyone was against him 'Story”', here, too the White immigrants and the court are because of his colour”(15). The discrimination faced by presented as being racist towards the non-white immigrants. Kitchilan as a result of his dark colour is similar to the The protagonist, Hannah Sweetacres is a thirty-eight year old discrimination faced by the Aboriginals in the Whites- woman, who has made an isolated farmhouse in Australia's dominated Australia. Just as the Aboriginal people who are south-west her home after the death of her father. The arrival of a sidelined to establish a 'White Australia', the non-whites are also mysterious, dark stranger at the farmhouse exposes Hannah's marginalized. The judge, showing his racist attitude told him loneliness and vulnerability. She invites the stranger to stay with that he had been treated just “as White man would have been her in the house and rest of the story is an illustration of the treated”(15). The judge added, “You have had a fair trial, and events which ultimately lead to her murder by the stranger. The have been found guilty of a premeditated and cold-blooded” racist attitude of the White is exhibited by Hannah and the judge. murder of a woman who,.. showed you nothing but Hannah, on looking at Louis de Kitchilan, was not sure whether kindness”(15). Thus, “The Shade of Difference” brings out the he was an Australian or not, but she thought “He might be, racism which is inherent in the nature of the Whites. Hannah is rather sunburnt” (HaslucK , 'The Shade of Difference',5). Here, hospitable to everyone who comes to her house irrespective of Hannah is more concerned with colour of his skin rather than race, yet she shows streaks of the characteristic racism adopted man himself. Hannah allowed Kitchilan to stay with her house. by the Whites in her preference for the Australians only. She was attracted to him and was curious to know about him. The story “The Fence” by Vasso Kalamaras, is a third person Her racist attitude is again highlighted by her queries about narrative which revolves around a woman, who has immigrated Kitchilan, “Where he came from, what he was doing, how long from Greece to Australia along with her husband Lias. They live he would stay, and most of all, what nationality was he?” (7) An on an isolated farm completely broken off from the world. 57 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 58

During the years she has given birth to four children. Her to her and she is leading a life devoid of any celebration. husband works as a daily wager in a wood mill and with his Inhumanity fostered by racism is in another string which holds income he has brought both a second-hand truck and a tractor. “The Needle 'Story”' and “The Shade of difference” together. In The woman has been given no name in the story. The narrative “The Needle 'Story”' inhumanity runs parallel to the theme of moves from the present to past and then again to the present to racism. Although Christina has lost her husband in Australia but past and then again to the present, but this does not disrupt the no one sympathizes with her. No one comes to console her. None unity of the piece. Like “The Needle 'Story”' and 'The Shade of of her neighbours show pity at the death of her husband. They Difference”, racism becomes the focus of this story as well. are all indifferent and insensitive to his death. Her husband has However, racism, which forms the focus of the story, is brought served the people well but no one appreciates the services he had out by the difference between 'home' and 'home away from rendered. Instead, everyone blames him for going against the home'. The woman fancied her Greek household in comparison law by using the acupuncture treatment. His life story was full of to her life on the isolated farm in Australia. She remembered that struggle and humiliation but, “in fact, most people including the her mother named, Myrtio, took great care of her hair which press, no longer see it as a 'story'. There is no 'story' they insist” stretched beneath the waist. Admiring her hair, her mother said: (Drewe 68-69). The inverted commas around 'Story' in the title, “Such curly blond hair. Like an angel in Christ's manger” (Vasso also indicate an alternative perspective to that of the local press, Kalamaras, 'The Fence', 93). Her mother had six sons and she which mindlessly eachoes community prejudice against the was the only daughter. Her mother sent them to school every outsider as “a Charlton ripping off the system”(Drewe,110). day and she looked to the fact that all the children were well- Even Walter's lawyer Thody had no sympathy for him. His dressed. Her father, Fotis was a famous cobbler. Everyday he inhumanity is depicted when he invited Walter for lunch after was aware that he had no interest in money but had a passion for the hearing. They went to a Chinese restaurant, but Thody felt “drink, retsina and the best red wine”(93). People bought wine uncomfortable in his company. He regretted his invitation from them. Every night, her father would close his shop and “Because he had a son at Hale too. And the doctor was having a drink wine. He would indulge in merrymaking and single songs rough time… his presence was a great damper” (Drewe 76). No which brought alive the entire household. At dinner “the mother one showed any sympathy to the doctor and his wife. Everyone always dressed with care, as for a celebration, shining with joy, is against them. They are humiliated in the society and “the talking sweetly”, (94) said a prayer before the meal. children sometimes came home from school crying” (Drewe 73). The woman's present household is total contrast to the Even, the White children in the school are against Adam and environment at her Greek household. Her children never go to Felicity, the children of Walter and Christina. The White school as there is no school in the vicinity nor they dressed children have harboured such feelings towards the non-Whites properly. The ceremony and merriment which she enjoyed in her by observing their own parents and following them. This seed of childhood is no longer a part of her life. Australia does not appeal racism seems to be planted in the White children right from the 59 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 60 beginning and they learn to divide the society into the 'White' that “This is not your place” (Bennett, 61) They warn the non- and 'Black'. White immigrants, “That in the future time each must learn to 'The Shade of Difference' presents the inhumanity of Louis de live Beadless in a foreign land; or perish” (Dabydeen, 33). The Kitchilan towards Hannah. “He had been received and offered Whites claim Australia as their land and accept the non-whites kindness with hearth and home open… and he had repaid this as a part of Australia with reluctance. They “are unavoidably with treachery and death” (Hasluck 15). Louis de Kitchilan is a said by side” yet the non-White immigrants feel alienated in traveler and the local people tell him that Hannah could provide Australia. him with food and she may also offer him a job. Hannah is The alienation of Walter Lee and Christina to Australia in “The instantly attracted to Kitchilan and she allows him to stay with Needle 'Story”' is shown by their attachment to Asia. Before her. She gives him food, shelter and everything she can give. She coming to Australia they lived in Malaysia. They migrated to plays a perfect host to Kitchilan but he is indifferent to Australia for the better future of their children. Their attachment everything. He has come to that house with the intention of to Asia is evident from their choice of the house. “The sitting stealing Hannah's money. He stays with Hannah for several room and the marital bedroom faced north-west towards Asia. days but when he is unable to discover the money and “the gold ”(Drewe 69). After the court had proved Walter guilty of using the old girl had been said to possess” (Hasluck 12) he shot her acupuncture treatment he“ seemed overcome by negativity and dead with a rifle. He ransacks the whole house but he finds passivity”(Drewe 73). Acupuncture was regarded as a foreign nothing. It proves to be “a fruitless search” (Hasluck 12). Laying treatment by the Government of Australia. Walter was arrested Hannah's body on the bed he set the house on fire which had two times which greatly marred his reputation as a doctor. He provided him food and shelter. He stole the money and rode had to stop his practice which greatly frustrated him. His away from the place when the fire was “well alight” (Hasluck frustration led him to commit suicide in a hotel room facing 13). Thus, Kitchilan shows no humanity towards the lady who towards Asia. Thus, Walter not only lived looking at Asia but had treated him so well. He was guided by his evil intentions also chose to die towards Asia. The attachment to Asia is also and even the hospitality of Hannah failed to move him. seen in Christina. After her husband's death Christina was The theme of alienation is also vividly portrayed in all the three taking his ashes back to Malaysia because “there is still a deep stories. The stories bring out the alienation faced in Australia by attachment to Malaysia”(Drewe 66). the non-White immigrants who came to Australia in search of a Like, “The Needle 'Story'', The Shade of Difference” also better standard of living. The White Australians, however, portrays the alienation faced by the non-White immigrants in claimed the land as their own and did not allow the non-White White Australia. The cruelty within Kitchilan is a result of immigrants to prosper. They subordinated them and reduced alienation faced by him. After killing Hannah, Kitchilan set the them to an inferior position. The Whites, however, remain house on fire. When the fire had spread, he rode away from that indifferent to the pleas of the non-Whites and seem to tell them place. Kitchilan paid no heed to the changing natural 59 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 60 beginning and they learn to divide the society into the 'White' that “This is not your place” (Bennett, 61) They warn the non- and 'Black'. White immigrants, “That in the future time each must learn to 'The Shade of Difference' presents the inhumanity of Louis de live Beadless in a foreign land; or perish” (Dabydeen, 33). The Kitchilan towards Hannah. “He had been received and offered Whites claim Australia as their land and accept the non-whites kindness with hearth and home open… and he had repaid this as a part of Australia with reluctance. They “are unavoidably with treachery and death” (Hasluck 15). Louis de Kitchilan is a said by side” yet the non-White immigrants feel alienated in traveler and the local people tell him that Hannah could provide Australia. him with food and she may also offer him a job. Hannah is The alienation of Walter Lee and Christina to Australia in “The instantly attracted to Kitchilan and she allows him to stay with Needle 'Story”' is shown by their attachment to Asia. Before her. She gives him food, shelter and everything she can give. She coming to Australia they lived in Malaysia. They migrated to plays a perfect host to Kitchilan but he is indifferent to Australia for the better future of their children. Their attachment everything. He has come to that house with the intention of to Asia is evident from their choice of the house. “The sitting stealing Hannah's money. He stays with Hannah for several room and the marital bedroom faced north-west towards Asia. days but when he is unable to discover the money and “the gold ”(Drewe 69). After the court had proved Walter guilty of using the old girl had been said to possess” (Hasluck 12) he shot her acupuncture treatment he“ seemed overcome by negativity and dead with a rifle. He ransacks the whole house but he finds passivity”(Drewe 73). Acupuncture was regarded as a foreign nothing. It proves to be “a fruitless search” (Hasluck 12). Laying treatment by the Government of Australia. Walter was arrested Hannah's body on the bed he set the house on fire which had two times which greatly marred his reputation as a doctor. He provided him food and shelter. He stole the money and rode had to stop his practice which greatly frustrated him. His away from the place when the fire was “well alight” (Hasluck frustration led him to commit suicide in a hotel room facing 13). Thus, Kitchilan shows no humanity towards the lady who towards Asia. Thus, Walter not only lived looking at Asia but had treated him so well. He was guided by his evil intentions also chose to die towards Asia. The attachment to Asia is also and even the hospitality of Hannah failed to move him. seen in Christina. After her husband's death Christina was The theme of alienation is also vividly portrayed in all the three taking his ashes back to Malaysia because “there is still a deep stories. The stories bring out the alienation faced in Australia by attachment to Malaysia”(Drewe 66). the non-White immigrants who came to Australia in search of a Like, “The Needle 'Story'', The Shade of Difference” also better standard of living. The White Australians, however, portrays the alienation faced by the non-White immigrants in claimed the land as their own and did not allow the non-White White Australia. The cruelty within Kitchilan is a result of immigrants to prosper. They subordinated them and reduced alienation faced by him. After killing Hannah, Kitchilan set the them to an inferior position. The Whites, however, remain house on fire. When the fire had spread, he rode away from that indifferent to the pleas of the non-Whites and seem to tell them place. Kitchilan paid no heed to the changing natural 61 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 62 environment. Thus, his alienation to the country is brought out made every effort to reduce them to mere entities on the by his ignorance of the nature of the country. “Ants were continent. They have not been given a chance by the Whites to swarming everywhere A flight of black cockatoos passed grow in position. overhead, screaming like lost souls. This meant nothing to Louis The non-whites have begun to regard Australia as a 'home away de Kitchilan: it was not his country to know its portents…How from home'. They have accepted Australia as their second home could he know these signs meant rain” (Hasluck 13).Kitchilan just as the woman in “The Fence” accepts it. Initially she felt also showed his alienation from the country by his manner of drawn only to her Greek household but now she feels that: talking. Kitchilan told Hannah that she should wear her jewelry Full of life often as she looked beautiful. He added that he was grateful to her for her kindness and worshipped her; “like one of the Her island goodness of my country if you were hung with gold and jewels Her passion as they are, and offered to men what they offer: full breasts, slim … waist and hands held out” (Hasluck 11).Hannah was appalled to The light hear such a speech and she instantly realized that Kitchilan was The sun the sun not an Australian. The tiny birds The woman in “The Fence” has been living on the island for many years but she does not find herself attached to the place or The forest to the surroundings. She constantly remembers her Greek The dark blue of the sky household which was always ringing with the happy sounds of The enormoust karri trees her mother and father. She had never felt alone there. Here, too The sea, the sea, the sea embracing her island. (Kalamaras 95) on island she has her children and husband to give her company, The same acceptance of Australia as a second home is also but she still feels lonely and misses her parental house. In the shown in “The Needle 'Story”. Although Walter Lee and his farm, the woman is not only alienated from her own but also wife, Christina were greatly attached to Asia, the story also from the world. Her life is limited only to her husband and her voices their attachment to Australia which becomes their second children. She has no contact with the outside world. The farm home. In spite of the humiliation faced by Walter and Christina and the house are her life and they constitute her own little at the hands of the White immigrants, Christina is still attached walled-in country. It is not only the woman who is alienated, to Australia. Her attachment to Australia becomes evident when even the children have no knowledge of the outside world. she says to the T.V. reporter, “I wouldn't want West Australians Thus, all the three stories discussed bring out the attitude of the to feel I am fed up with western Australia” (Drewe 72). Christina White Immigrants towards the non-Whites. Whites have always accepted Australia as it is and adopted the ways of the Whites. been biased and prejudiced towards the non-Whites and have 61 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 62 environment. Thus, his alienation to the country is brought out made every effort to reduce them to mere entities on the by his ignorance of the nature of the country. “Ants were continent. They have not been given a chance by the Whites to swarming everywhere A flight of black cockatoos passed grow in position. overhead, screaming like lost souls. This meant nothing to Louis The non-whites have begun to regard Australia as a 'home away de Kitchilan: it was not his country to know its portents…How from home'. They have accepted Australia as their second home could he know these signs meant rain” (Hasluck 13).Kitchilan just as the woman in “The Fence” accepts it. Initially she felt also showed his alienation from the country by his manner of drawn only to her Greek household but now she feels that: talking. Kitchilan told Hannah that she should wear her jewelry Full of life often as she looked beautiful. He added that he was grateful to her for her kindness and worshipped her; “like one of the Her island goodness of my country if you were hung with gold and jewels Her passion as they are, and offered to men what they offer: full breasts, slim … waist and hands held out” (Hasluck 11).Hannah was appalled to The light hear such a speech and she instantly realized that Kitchilan was The sun the sun not an Australian. The tiny birds The woman in “The Fence” has been living on the island for many years but she does not find herself attached to the place or The forest to the surroundings. She constantly remembers her Greek The dark blue of the sky household which was always ringing with the happy sounds of The enormoust karri trees her mother and father. She had never felt alone there. Here, too The sea, the sea, the sea embracing her island. (Kalamaras 95) on island she has her children and husband to give her company, The same acceptance of Australia as a second home is also but she still feels lonely and misses her parental house. In the shown in “The Needle 'Story”. Although Walter Lee and his farm, the woman is not only alienated from her own but also wife, Christina were greatly attached to Asia, the story also from the world. Her life is limited only to her husband and her voices their attachment to Australia which becomes their second children. She has no contact with the outside world. The farm home. In spite of the humiliation faced by Walter and Christina and the house are her life and they constitute her own little at the hands of the White immigrants, Christina is still attached walled-in country. It is not only the woman who is alienated, to Australia. Her attachment to Australia becomes evident when even the children have no knowledge of the outside world. she says to the T.V. reporter, “I wouldn't want West Australians Thus, all the three stories discussed bring out the attitude of the to feel I am fed up with western Australia” (Drewe 72). Christina White Immigrants towards the non-Whites. Whites have always accepted Australia as it is and adopted the ways of the Whites. been biased and prejudiced towards the non-Whites and have 63 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses Prejudice and Acceptance (?): Issues of Integration in Australia 64

“At home, for the evening meal with the children, Christina only declining and if sincere efforts are made, Australia will served 'English' food” (Drewe 72).Walter and Christina had move out of the dark dungeons of racism into the light of spent the best part if their life in Australia. Australia gave them tolerance and humanity. Such an effort is made by Alexandra money, fame and a better standard of living. Though later, it was Hasluck and Robert Drewe through their stories. They are White the same Australia which shunned them and refused to accept Australians and yet they have devoted themselves to writing them as its own. But in spite of all this, Christina was not sure about the plight of non-White immigrants in Australia. They do whether she would leave Australia forever, she leaves behind a not present the characteristic racial bias exhibited by the Whites possibility of coming back to Australia in future. in their stories. Therefore, the three stories, have collectively contributed to An assimilation and synthesis of the three races is hinted at the bring to the fore the racism and inhumanity practiced by the end of these stories. The endings of these stories reveal that in Whites. The non-white immigrants have also been mistreated by spite of the brutal and inhuman attitude of the Whites, the non- the White Australians in way similar to the Aborigines. The Whites have accepted Australia as their second home. Thus, all White immigrants have succeeded in gaining an upper hand the stories depict the acceptance of their respective cultures and and the non-Whites live all through the hardships of their life are make an effort to bring about an awareness of their cultures. The backed by a hope of realizing a bright dream. To put it in the Whites are also coming to an awareness of the condition of other words of R. Bruce Morrison and C. Roderick it is the “… quest for inhabitants of the land. For a multicultural land in a true sense, the peaceable kingdom in which red man and White man are the Whites must awaken themselves from their dormant state reconciled in a common humanity” (616). and rise above racism and inhumanity to embrace the non-White Although the Whites have been prejudiced and racist towards immigrants and move towards a synthesis of all communities the non-White immigrants, there are some Whites who do not and people of Australia. look down upon the coloured people and treat them with respect. These Whites have accepted the non-Whites as a part of Works Cited Australia. One such exception is Hannah Sweetacres, the Alexandra Hasluck, 'The Shade of Difference' .Ed. Bruce Bennett protagonist of the story 'The Shade of Difference'. Hannah is and Susan Hayes Home and Away: Australian Stories of Belonging reputed in her town for helping everybody who ask for her aid. and Alienation. Perth: University of Western Australia Press, She accepts Kitchilan, a non-White immigrant, as her guest and 2000.All the subsequent references to the story are from this plays a perfect host him and offers him food and shelter and also edition and have been incorporated in parenthesis in the text takes him to parties along with her. She is kind to Abdul the itself. Hawker, who approaches her with his wares and finery. She represents those Whites who are fair to people around them. Bruce Bennett. Australian Short Fiction: A History. St. Lucia: Thus, Hannah shows that humanity is not dead in Australia. It is University of Queensland Press, 2002. 65 Area Studies : A Journal of International Studies & Analyses India's Role in heading the Asian Century: Great Expectations and Inherent Limitations David Dabydeen as quoted in ed. Michael Parker and Roger Starky. Postcolonial Literatures. London:Macmillan Press Y. YAGAMA REDDY* Limited,1995. David Malouf as quoted by David Myers 'Perspectives of The Origins of Concept of the Asian Century Contemporary Australian Literature on Cultural Clash between The phrase Asian Century, which in the recent times has become Australian and the Asia/Pacific Region'. Ed.R.K Dhawan and a ubiquitous usage, is used to describe the idea that “if certain David Kerr Australian Literature Today. New Delhi: Indian demographic and economic trends persist, the 21st century will Society for Commonwealth Studies,1993. be dominated by Asian politics and culture, as the 20th century is George Blainey as quoted by David Myers 'Perspectives of sometimes referred to as the American Century, and the 19th Contemporary Australian Literature on Cultural Clash between century the British Century”(Wikipedia). In fact, the term is Australian and the Asia/Pacific Region'. Ed.R.K Dhawan and ascribed to the 1988 meeting with People's Republic of China David Kerr Australian Literature Today. New Delhi: Indian (PRC) leader Deng Xiaoping and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Society for Commonwealth Studies,1993. Gandhi, even as it made debut in the 1985 US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing. Potentially promising future for Peter Carey. True History of the Kelly Gang. St.Lucia: University of the region would have impressed the Asian political leaders to Queensland Press,2000. prophesy that the 21st century would become the “Asian R. Bruce Morrison and C. Roderick. Native Peoples: The Canadian Century”. It was the premise based on the remarkable economic Experience. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1995. growth in Asia, and the continuing growth rates. The tenets of Robert Drewe, 'The Needle Story'. Ed. Bruce Bennett and Susan new economic order of globalization heralded in an era of Hayes Home and Away: Australian Stories of Belonging and declining US dominance and simultaneous shift in the centre of Alienation. Perth: University of Western Australia Press, 2000.All gravity of the global economy to Asia. As a logical corollary, the subsequent references to the story are from this edition and Japan, China and India have emerged economic powerhouses so have been incorporated in parenthesis in the text itself. much as to turn 21st century into Asian Century. The Vasso Kalamaras, 'The Fence'.Ed. Bruce Bennett and Susan magnitude of the liberalization and globalization sustains the Hayes Home and Away: Australian Stories of Belonging and idea of Asian century as a possibility at near sight and the hope Alienation. Perth: University of Western Australia Press, 2000.All for a shift in the global leadership, likely to be assumed by one or the subsequent references to the story are from this edition and more of Asia's nation states, in certain significant areas, like have been incorporated in parenthesis in the text. international diplomacy, military strength, technology, and soft power. With about 3.0 billion population, huge markets and

*Prof. Y. Yagama Reddy, Centre for Southeast Asian & Pacific Studies, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India.