HC Deb 02 April 1889 vol 334 cc1398-400
MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)

I wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the following warning issued by the Préfet of Avignon to the people of that district:— The Government is informed that those who emigrated from Avignon to foreign countries, and especially to Buenos Ayres, found themselves on their arrival in the most miserable position. The Préfet of Avignon, therefore, feels it his duty to warn the people to be on their guard against the offers and promises, generally false or exaggerated, that maybe made to them by journals or agents who have an interest in tempting them to emigrate, and to a statement in the Univers of 28th March— that those who have succeeded in making their way back to France declare that thousands of French emigrants are dying of hunger in the streets of Buenos Ayres; and whether, if, on inquiry, he finds these statements to be true, he will issue a similar warning to the people in these countries who may be likely to emigrate to Buenos Ayres, particularly to poor emigrants from Ireland?

*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.

Her Majesty's Government have no information about the particular warning referred to in the question. After the inquiry on the subject addressed to me some days ago, Her Majesty's Representatives were directed to inquire whether any complaints had been received of the ill-treatment or disappointment of emigrants to the Argentine Republic. Lord Lytton replies that, although no official Report to that effect has been received from Buenos Ayres, the newspapers have mentioned that the Prefects of several Departments have complained lately of the return of such emigrants owing to the non-fulfilment on their arrival of promises made by a person calling himself an agent of the Argentine Government. Lord Vivian reports from Brussels that the Belgian Government has had no cause to complain of breach of faith or ill-treatment on the part of the Argentine Government towards Belgian immigrants, but that many have been grossly deceived as to the prospects of obtaining employment by persons who assume without authority to act as Emigration Agents, and who are said to receive a bonus from the Steamer Companies for every person sent out. The Emigrants Information Office in Broadway, Westminster, and the Irish Government are being furnished with all the information received by the Foreign Office on this subject, so that trustworthy intelligence may be afforded. The suggestion of giving a warning against unauthorized agents will be considered.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Has it come to the knowledge of the Government that complaints have been made that emigrants have had to put up with almost starvation diet on board ship, as well as hardships when they arrived?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

A returned emigrant has told me that he had been stinted in diet and had suffered seriously in consequence; but, as I have explained to the House, the Argentine Government undertook no responsibility whatever about the passage of emigrants; and therefore their treatment on board ship was only a matter of contract between them and the shipping company who took them out.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Would it be possible to appoint anyone in the Argentine Republic to receive money sent from this country for the relief of the immigrants; because, if it were entrusted to the agents whose conduct was complained of, it would probably not reach those for whom it was intended.

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

Her Majesty's Government have authorized our Minister at Buenos Ayres to employ an officer for the special purpose of looking after the interests of immigrants.

MR. J. O'CONNOR

How soon will the House be told the result of the consideration that has been promised as to the practicability of steps being taken by the Foreign Office, in connection with the Irish authorities, for warning poor Irish emigrants of the risks of this emigration?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

The hon. Member only put down his question last night, and therefore it is manifestly impossible that it could have been considered before the meeting of the House to-day.

MR. J. O'CONNOR

I may explain that I spoke to the right hon. Gentleman some time ago upon the subject, and I was under the impression that he was in a position to give the information to-day. That was the reason of the short notice given to him.