§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that during the years 1906 and 1907 the Dominion Government of Canada paid two dollars a head to a number of immigration agents for placing immigrants on the land, and that one of these agents entered into correspondence with several emigrating societies in this country, including the Central (Unemployed) Body of London, for the purpose of obtaining British immigrants; whether he is aware that by the action of this agent a district in Canada was flooded with unskilled labour from this country in such a way that economic trouble followed in the winter months and a claim was made on the Central (Unemployed) Body for the support of the emigrants that body sent out at his request; whether this system of paying two dollars a head is still in force in Canada; and, if so whether His Majesty's Government will make such representations to the Dominion Government of Canada as will prevent their agents, for personal gain, attracting unskilled labour to Canada in the same way as in 1906 and 1907, and then officially placing the blame for the result of their actions on the voluntary societies in this country?
Mr. HARCOURTI understand that the Canadian Government had at the time in question, and still have, a system of payments to agents in certain districts of the Dominion for placing immigrants on the land. I have no knowledge of the particular case referred to, which, as I gather from the question, occurred some years ago. Under the existing Canadian immigration regulations, which provide for the close supervision by a Canadian officer in London of all emigration to Canada conducted by societies in this country, it is hardly conceivable that such a case as that alleged in the question could occur.