Australia and Post-war Asia

The article reports growing unrest in Batavia following Japan's surrender, as Indonesian nationalists demanded an independent republic under Soekarno. Indonesian demonstrators attempted to enter the Tjidang women's internment camp, which was defended jointly by Allied personnel and Japanese guards. The article describes increasing displays of the new Indonesian red-and-white flag, political demonstrations and violence, while Japanese forces remained temporarily responsible for maintaining order.
 

NEI Information Service deny that supplies for the suppression of the Indonesian people were carried aboard Dutch ships in Australian ports.

The article reports Federal Government concern that Communist supporters were encouraging Indonesian seamen and Australian waterfront unions to refuse work on Dutch ships carrying arms for use against Indonesian nationalists. Ministers portrayed the dispute as part of a broader Communist challenge to the White Australia policy, while unions called for arrested Indonesians to be released and allowed to return home. The boycott was spreading across the waterfront to other maritime trades.
 

The article reports Federal Ministers' claims that Communists were encouraging Indonesian seamen and Australian waterside workers to undermine the White Australia policy. A Communist Party circular urged workers to boycott Dutch ships carrying military supplies, arguing that these would be used to suppress the newly declared Indonesian Republic and restore Dutch colonial rule. The Government resisted pressure to support Indonesian independence and insisted that Indonesian seamen remained prohibited immigrants.

Indonesian dockworkers and seamen who worked in Australia during the war embark on the Esperance Bay to be taken to Java.

Esperance Bay leaves Brisbane with >1400 Indonesians destined for Java at the end of the war.

Indonesians aboard Esperance Bay protested when 40 potential leaders were compelled to disembark in Timor rather than Java.

Faddin demands that Chifley open an inquiry into a mutiny on the Esperance Bay

Allegations by Daily Mail correspondent that Indonesians smuggled arms on board Esperance Bay.

Esperance Bay docks at Timor as Mountbatten is unable to ensure safe conduct in Java for 40 activist Indonesians on board despite assurances from Australian government.

Calwell denies that the Indonesians protest on the Esperance Bay was a mutiny - no lives were in danger.

K. Plumb, government minister who travelled on Esperance Bay, denies that a mutiny took place at Timor.

Lieutenant-General Northcott said the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan would have significant responsibilities, including supervising the disposal of Japanese war materials and directing Japanese labour. He praised the high standard of Australian troops and said details of the force's duties would soon be announced, with its responsibilities to be determined under General MacArthur's command.

Two Labor members returning from NEI see that the black ban on Dutch shipping is harming Indonesian natives and Dutch civilians.

Lieutenant-General Northcott reported that the British Commonwealth Occupation Force had made significant progress during its first two months in Japan. Its work included restoring essential services, repairing ports and airfields, employing thousands of Japanese labourers, recovering military stores, improving communications, and locating munitions for destruction, while demonstrating the effectiveness of Commonwealth cooperation.

Indonesian premier will not ask Australian unions to lift ban on Dutch shipping until the Netherlands stops the economic blockade of Indonesia

A temporary ban on two Dutch ships imposed in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Third Congress of Indonesian Railway Labourers request Australian black ban on Dutch shipping to continue.

Dutch minister to Australia boycotted reception celebrating third anniversary of founding of Indonesian Republic.

Mass meeting of Seamen's Union in Melbourne vote to continue black ban of Dutch shipping.

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