§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the efforts made by one Richard Arthur, M.D., acting with a firm of shipping agents, to secure the employment in Australia of clerks, shopmen, and boys about to leave school; whether the. Work and employment set out in this letter is guaranteed by the High Commissioner for Australia or by the Agents-General for the several Australian States; whether he can say the amount of commission which those shipping agents receive from the passage money; and, further, whether he is aware of Dr. Richard Arthur's position with regard to the Immigration League of Australasia?
Mr. HARCOURTMy attention has been called to a letter signed by Dr. Arthur, the president of the Immigration League of Australasia which has recently appeared in the Press. I am not aware whether the employment referred to in the letter is guaranteed by the Commonwealth or State authorities, and I have no knowledge of any arrangements which may have been made with shipping agents.
§ Mr. HUNTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Dr. Arthur is president, secretary and everything else of this Immigration League; is he aware too that boys are being trapped into going out to Australia and that no provision is made for them when they get there? Is it not the right hon. Gentleman's duty to inquire into these matters?
Mr. HARCOURTI am paid for many things, but not, I think, to inquire into the proceedings of Dr. Arthur.