it was an INSULT made on the basis of a person's RACE
there is a view among a good number of people out there that mail order brides are somewhat inferior to marrying an aussie women [i dont agree with this, BUT that is irrelevant as enough people out there do think this]
the comment was NOT made based on fact. helena was never a mail order bride. so it is more than likely brogden made the comment based on her being an asian