Despite constant public comment that the Administration should take a firmer line and not accept any more refugees, no way of doing this under the provisions of the law, international convention or reasonably humane behaviour has been devised. If refugees continue to arrive either in large or small boats there seems no means by which they can be deterred or prevented eventually from landing here. Families who are prepared to leave Vietnam with the prospect that more than 50% will perish at sea are unlikely to be deterred by any measure that a responsible Government, acting lawfully and humanely could devise.