§ MR. MACNEILLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of Lord 431 Salisbury, in his capacity of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has been directed to the detailed accounts published in the Freeman's Journal of 25th January, 1890, relative to the hardships and privations of 600 men, women, and children, who, relying on the statements of emigration agents respecting the abundance of work and high wages, left in the Durden for Buenos Ayres, about 12 months ago, for the purpose of settling as emigrants in the Argentine Republic; whether it is true, as stated in the Freeman's Journal, that the wretched condition of these people, many of whom have been reduced to actual starvation, has been brought under the notice of the British Consul, who is either powerless or unwilling to aid them; whether any steps can be taken for the relief of these destitute people; and whether the Government, having regard to the great amount of misery inflicted on labourers and artisans who act on the reports of foreign emigration agents, will take any, and, if so, what measures for checking misrepresentations and putting the public in full possession of the facts relating to the labour market, wages, &c, of the country to which emigration is invited?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI think that the name of the ship mentioned in the hon. Member's question must be a misprint for Dresden. The case was discussed in this House last year, and is described at page 20 of the Parliamentary Paper, Commercial No. 32, 1889, which Paper contains full information on the points adverted to. It is hoped that the information afforded by several Departments and Offices on the subject of Emigration to South America is sufficient for the guidance of intending emigrants.