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Malaysia, 17.8% from Thailand and only 1.8% from Hong Kong. Mr Engledow said that these proportions were because Australia was being blackmailed as he had described. He agreed that Hong Kong was being discriminated against but wondered whether, if more refugees left Hong Kong, an increased number would go there. He asked how many places Hong Kong wanted. Sir Jack reiterated that Hong Kong wanted only fair shares. 35% of boat people had arrived in Hong Kong this year and Hong Kong would like 35% of Australia's quota. Australia's performance so far had been derisory. He rehearsed the commercial and security value of Hong Kong to Australia.
8. Mr Engledow said he could not respond positively until
he had talked to his Minister. He had not envisaged dividing up Australia's quota: the Government was very defensive about it. He said that if Hong Kong could start English language training for the refugees, it would be very helpful. Australia preferredpeople who, in general terms, fitted in.
9.
Sir Jack outlined the offers of other countries to take refugees from Hong Kong but said that the current offers would take two years to clear present numbers. This was too long. Hong Kong anticipated having 250,000 refugees by the end of 1979. Sir Donald Tebbit said that it was in Australia's interest to be seen to be rewarding virtue rather than accepting the opposite. Mr Engledow said he saw the force of Sir Jack's argument and he would speak to his Minister to see how many of the additional quota he could get for Hong Kong. Sir Jack offered to help provide services in Hong Kong to help
the Australians.
10. The meeting ended at 6 pm.
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