Noreen Grahame
Lessons in dictation (2007)
The absurdity of the dictation test as proscribed in Section 3(a) of the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 is evident in the farce surrounding the 1934 Eugon Kisch incident. Kisch, a Czech national and a communist, was invited to speak at a meeting organised by The Movement Against War and Fascism. Wanting to prevent him entering the country and speaking, the Australian government of the day, ordered he undergo a dictation test in Scottish Gaelic, a language they were sure the multi-lingual Kisch would not know, would fail and then be deported! Recent discussions about reviving the dictation test to prove eligibility for Australian citizenship indicates we have not learned this lesson of history. 12 pp, 24.7 x 19.5 cm. Hand writing on slate printed offset. numero uno publications . Edition of 100 plus 10 ap. $55.00