AN IMMIGRATION MUDDLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2707, 11 January 1910, Page 5

AN IMMIGRATION MUDDLE.

MISGUIDED IMMIGRANTS

United Fauna Association —Copyrioht SYDNEY, Jan. 10.

The cases of 17 recently-arrived An-glo-Indian immigrants are attracting much public attention. The immigrants complain* that they were induced to leave India by rosy promises of certain work at high wages and other good things, made by the agent of the Sydney Immigration League in India. Some of the immigrants threw up good employment and sold their property. Others brought their wives and families on the strength of an understanding that they were to receive a bonus of £6 for the wife and £3 for each child. They only find on arrival that their hopes are disappointed. The Government declines to take any responsibility in the matter. In the meantime several of the new arrivals, failing to find work, or obtain an alleged promised refund of the passage money, are penniless. A LAME EXCUSE. (Received January 10, 10.40 p.m.) • The Immigration .League’s reply to the adverse criticism is that the League’s Indian- agent, through lack of accurate information, unintentionally misled some earlier batches of immigrants in regard; to refunds, but due warnings were published in the Indian press as to the conditions of Australia and the proper type of immigrants required. The coal strike had upset all calculations, and a cable message had been sent to the Indian agent on December Ist to stop sending, any more immigrants. /■. :•