Summary

Ship postcard from the SS Nieuw Zeeland, which was kept as a souvenir by Robert Salter, of his journey from Austria to Australia. Robert Salter fled Vienna just before the German annexation of Austria in 1938. He left from Rotterdam on the 'Dempo', a holiday ship, on 20 July 1938; then transferred to the SS Nieuw Zeeland in Batavia (Jakarta) on 21 August to travel to Melbourne via Brisbane, arriving in Melbourne on 8 September 1938.

Robert had applied for residency in Australia 5 months before leaving Vienna but could not wait for approval as he was in danger of being arrested. When he arrived in Australia he discovered that his application for residency had been rejected. With the help of William Maloney, a federal Member of Parliament who befriended him, Robert was finally able to obtain permits for himself, as well as for his parents, his fiancee Ida and his friend who had accompanied him on the journey.

Physical Description

Coloured postcard featuring image of the ship SS Nieuw Zeeland. Reverse blank except for the K.P.M Royal Packet Navigation Co. logo.

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