TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1639, 4 January 1913, Page 2

TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS.

HOW THE ARGENTINAPEOCEEDS.J When a man ma havo immigration do luxe at a' price less than this ordinary style 'he naturally : prcfors it,• and. this probably accounts for.the number, of immigrants attracted to Argentina;; .On arrival in' Argentina immigrants are taken, chargo of by the immigration ■ offi-' cers, who attend and direct them,' and put them into'thespecial tramcars await-., ing them for, conveyance to tho ' Immigrants' Hotel. Their baggage is loaded on trucks by porters from the hotel itself. This hotel is a great: boon, for it enables a man to live.; free of-tost while work is being obtained) for Win,-whereas" in othor lands an ininiißrant might poseibly'spend'tho greater part of his capital ill living, whilo waiting for employment'. On arrival at the hotel the immigrants aro admitted,., registered,and furnished' with admission tickeb valid for a-fivo days' sojourn, which'niay be prolonged; in cast) of illness. ' They are (suitably housed, womon and children in separate ■ wards from those occupied by men. '■."'■ : Pirst-class rations are issued on the following scal<\ w,hich is the daily ration for each ,adult:-Mflat. 1 l-31b.; . bread, 18oz.; '.potatoes, carrots,: or. cabbage (alternately)," soz.;"rice, macaroni, or .beans (alternately), ,• 31-oz.; sugar, about an; ounce; and codec, about half ah ounce.' Milk is supplied to;tHo children.. 'The meals aro well cooked' by steam, and served in a largo dining-hall by waiters. Tho diniug-roouis are capable of accommodating 1000 persons. ":. ;■'•.."•'. Attached to"the'hotel are an infirmary and reading room, and gardens overlooking tho Plato. There are also lava•tories and hot and cold .baths,'and a swimming bath is shortly to.bo' added.; Buenos Ayres is not tho only city in Argentina possessing"an immigrants' hotel. There is one at Bosario, provinco of Santa, IVj, and.another at Bahia Blanca, to'tho south of the provinco' of Buenos Ayres, from both of which centres agricultural produce and cattleare exported on a very large scale.. Even should tho steamer, ar : . rivo on a public holiday- the immigrants are landed at once, provided tho medical inspection is satisfactory.' Sick 1 persons aro attended constantly and' carefully ; children are vaccinated, and also adults who may desire it. Attached to tho department is a staff of physicians, medical practitioners, male and,female- nurses, a ivcll-supplied pharmacy,'and a disinfect; in,? .'chamber. ;'::•• .' , ' The Immigration Department uses Dvcry means iu its power to find/situations for tho immigrants in tho art, craft, or. industry' to' which' he .wisher to apply himself under tho most advantageous conditions, during the first live days of his arrival in the country.'. ' If he wishes.to establish himself in'one of tho provinces he is immediately transported there with his family, and without'any expense whatever to himself. On arrival at his destination ho has the right to ue lodged and maintained for te,n days at tho ex'penso of tho nation. -The Immigration. Commissioner, at the request of tho immigrant, will intervene,in the. formulating of tho employment contract, with tho object of guaranteeing its fulfilment. A .further little convenience for their uso is a postal and telegraph 'office- at'tho hotel; in short,'every possible'attention is paid thorn, nnd ovcry cam taken of them till tlwy aro finally landed at their destination and settled in whatever occupation they may have taken up. The Government is mother and father to them. Finally, the immigrant's mind is not influenced in any way to go to any ono place, that. being loft entirely,to his own judgment. , .' ,* . There is no doubt that the official protection given to the immigrant is a: powerful attraction in tho promotion of immigration, bocauso it is a nrotection worth having, but the.support and moral protection also afforded by the fcl ow-cnun-trvmoii of the'immigrant already sotllert and working in the Argentine is np Jets ofToctivo. " The immigrant is .tho welcome guest of the Argentine nation, ami the nation nmplv and liberally fulfils its duties of hospitality to tho enormous number of individuals who contribute with their labour to tho prosperity ol rue country which shelters them.