Australia Pocket Book, by the Australian Department of Information (softcover, ?1946, includes one fold out map, $3)
"The Australian Pocket Book is published in response to a steadily increasing demand in various parts of the world for more information about Australia- her resources, her people, her way of life and her aspirations."
Surprisingly, only the last chapter of this book was geared toward tourists. Mostly the book is meant to be read by potential immigrants. (Sadly, only Europeans were allowed to apply.) Many of the new immigrants were ex-soldiers who decided to stay, or refugees from Europe. Included here was information on taxes, living costs, wages, job opportunities and social services. Even more important were the instructions on how to obtain land to settle on.
The book admits, "The average Australian lives comfortably, though not luxuriously. There is steam heat and air conditioning only in the most modern office and few homes. Household refrigeration and hot-water serves are looked on as a luxury in most homes," but the war is now over, and everything is expected to change soon.
Look for this book on the new non-fiction table, avail. 4/27. (L-Aust. hist)
