Naturalization paper receipt

Naturalization paper receipt

Image Courtesy of: Albury Library Museum

This paper would have been issued to any shipping passenger of Chinese (or non-white) heritage who on purchasing a ticket for Australia was claiming they would be permitted to embark on the grounds of their having been naturalised as a British subject of one of the pre-Federation colonies of Australia. The date of the naturalization certificate noted here is 1886, which is just two years before such naturalisations became impossible in most colonies (Tasmania excepted).

The ship's Captain would have kept the naturalization paper for inspection by the Customs officers at the first Australian port, usually Thursday Island. If the Customs officers rejected the naturalisation paper then not only would the passenger be subject ot the Dictation Test in order to be legally declared a prohibited immigrant but the shipping company would have been liable to a fine and the cost of returning the passenger. Though the shipping company would have attempted to be reimbursed by the agent who sold the ticket.

Certificates Exempt the Dictation Test and Birth Certificates would have been treated in a similar manner.

Naturalization paper receipt reverse

Image Courtesy of: Albury Library Museum