IMMIGRATION OF THE UNFIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2143, 27 July 1907, Page 2

IMMIGRATION OF THE UNFIT.

STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT^

Tlie question of the immigration of consumptives was brought under the attention of the Minister for Public Health by Mr. Buddo, who asked whether the Minister yvould take such steps as might be necessary to ensure medical inspection of passengers from the United Kingdom to New Zealand to ho made at the port of embarkation.

to the question on July 17th, the Hon. G. Foyvlds said the attention of the shipping companies trading to New Zealand had been called to the fact that persons suffering from consumption are not allowed to land in New Zealand. The Chief Health Officer had also yvritten t-o the various scientific journals circulating in Groat Britain. Despite that, however, he was sorry to say tlia-i sufferers from this disease are sni! being brought out. He yvas having representations made to the Imperial Government, drawing its attention to the- need of more careful inspection at the port of embarkation. The Government and tho various hospital boards had expended considerable sums in providing suitable accommodation for persons suffering from consumption in New Zealand, and it was unfair that indigent incurables should be sent here to bccomo a charge upon our rates. If hoyuever, we could he assured that an immigrant was so circumstanced as nit to become a danger to our own people, and not likely to become a charge upon the rates, he thought it yvruld be inhuman to say to such invalids : “You cannot avail yourself ol the benefits of our climate.”