§ Mr. GROVESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseers Trade Department whether, in view of the strong appeal at all Employment Exchanges for emigrants to the Colonies, his Department takes steps to ensure that our people have decent conditions in transport?
§ Mr. LUNNThe information available at the Oversea Settlement Office is to the effect that the conditions of transport provided for migrants by the various shipping companies are satisfactory. In order to form a personal opinion in regard to this matter, I recently arranged to travel to Plymouth in a vessel which was carrying over 400 migrants to Australia. The majority of these were sailing under the Government Assisted Passage Scheme. I saw the embarkation, the accommodation on board and the arrangements for feeding the migrants. I was impressed with the care and thought given to every detail. The embarkation, including examination of passports, medical inspection, etc., was carried through with speed, sympathy and tact; and the berths and the food provided left nothing to be desired. I was impressed by the rapidity with which all classes of migrants seemed to accustom themselves to their new surroundings.