A.—2

55

The Union of South Africa, under certain of the laws of the South African colonies still in force, has power to deport undesirables at any time, and, as the shipping lines from England are the principal means of communication with Europe and America, the great majority of persons deported from South Africa are-brought to British ports. With regard to aliens so deported, an arrangement was made semi-officially with the late Government of Cape Colony (through the ports of which pass almost all persons deported from the Union) by which notice of all deportations is sent as long beforehand as possible to the Inspector under the Aliens Act at the Home Office. This arrangement is still in force, and the Cape authorities have further given an indemnity to the Union Castle line, who carry the deported aliens, to cover all expenses which that company may incur in securing or trying to secure, their departure from the United Kingdom for their proper destinations. The latter part of the scheme is purely voluntary, and depends entirely for its success upon the zeal and good-will of the shipping company. The late Governments of the Transvaal and Natal also undertook to give similar notice of deportations from their territories, though most of the persons concerned would in due course pass through Cape ports. On the arrival of these deported aliens in the United Kingdom the matter comes in some degree within the operation of the Imperial Aliens Act, 1905, under which, in certain circumstances, certain classes of undesirable aliens may be refused leave to land in the United Kingdom. The passenger-carrying lines from Canada and South Africa have been granted exemptions from inspection under the Aliens Act on entering into bonds with the Secretary of State, one of the conditions of which is that no undesirable aliens shall be landed in the United Kingdom except for the purpose of transit. Deported aliens come within the terms of this provision, and it consequently rests with the shipping companies concerned to see that they leave the United Kingdom. This is often a task of considerable difficulty, and the pressure which is sometimes necessary to secure that the companies fulfil their obligations is not always successful, as is shown by the-appended figures of deportations from Canada and South Africa during the years 1907-9. At the best, present conditions involve the keeping of a very careful watch on this traffic— for which purpose the above-mentioned arrangement with the late Government of Cape Colony, the Transvaal, and Natal is useful so far as it goes —and there is always the risk that the Mother-country may be burdened with aliens sent to her by the dominions who will be a detriment to the public either from their character or from disease. It would be open to the Home Secretary to cancel the bonds above referred to so far as deported aliens are concerned, and to have such aliens submitted to inspection, with the almost certain result that they would be refused leave to land in the United Kingdom. But this would create a very difficult situation, and the Home Secretary is of opinion that it would be better if the dominions would consider, with regard both to their legislation and to their administration in the matter of deporting aliens whether they cannot make, or co-operate in, such arrangements as will save the Mother-country from the difficulties and risks to which she is now exposed, and will relieve her to some degree from the effort to protect herself from the consequences of the procedure in the dominions. It will be remembered that the Imperial Government does not send undesirables from the United Kingdom to the dominions or colonies. Home Office, 31st October, 1910.

Appendix. Return of Aliens deported from British Colonies to the United Kingdom.

No. 97. New Zealand, No. 272. My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th November, 1910. With, reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 128, of the 17th June, I a.-i, 1911, have the honour to inquire whether your Ministers are yet in a position to favour No " v '

p I 1 Whence deported. Insai 55 o.S O^3 o'3 gp H ie, &c. Trachoi .ai o.S "d +J en ot ia. Me< Gro; o.S OTl! her Uoal ands. Cause I Publii Charge d 1-a g of Deportation. ; Clime. si o.S I* 'Zl +a ro ■a 8'3 1 s •a H H OB Ot] Cau If |M if r her ises. Accra ing D Al o .5 4sta r impany)eported Totals. liens. "S.S I a> j Is o"3 S ' O I H H Ol J o I s I o O EH 1 o £ E j a O H 1907 1907 1908 1908 1909 1909 British North America British South Africa.. British North Ameri a British South Africa.. British North America British South Africa.. 12 33 '2 16 35 5 2 fi 2 5 .. i " i" 16 j 4 7 10 el 35 5 3i 20 76 1 7 42 1! 24 ■ 2 176 ii 51 i 1 i 1 253 15 26 1 3 187 9 1 11 52 14 2 38 268 76 lj 2 3J 6 110 ..ill 317 8J46 2 2 i 3 1 .. 2 1 3 215: 3 4j 6 24 i 1 ■9 3 4 6 7 55 .. .. 5 .. 9 281 .. 3 16 2 6128 .. .. 39 8 25524 16 7) 4 9 25 306 3 19 11139 9 48 23 I 24 4 35 Totals for 1907-9 .. 68 75 12 88 ] 6 92 I IS 17 68,592