AMERICA’S BARRED DOOR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4444, 24 July 1922, Page 1

AMERICA’S BARRED DOOR

NEWCOMERS, ILL-TREATED.

AN AUSTRALIAN’S STORY.

A graphic description of the treatment of persons desiring to land in America,'but detained by the authorities because the quota- of arrivals firom their country for the month was full, is given in a letter received by relatives from Mr R. V. Reynolds, whose father, Mr. H. Reynolds, was formerly stationmaster at Yackandanhad, and whose mother is the daughter of the late Rev. John Westacott (says the Melbourne Argus). Having been accepted as a student at the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, with the object of becoming a missionary in Africa, Mr R. V. Reynolds, a young man, had his papers approved by the shipping company at Southampton and his passport vised by the American Consul in London. His papers being in order, he was given to understand that no trouble need be expected when he arrived in New York. When he reached there, however he was told that the Australian quota was full. In the following letter to his mother, he sets out his experiences at the hands of the American immigration authorities ■ " I wrote a letter to you when nearing New York harbour the night before last. Well, we were alongside the pier yesterday morning (May 10) after breakfast, but it took several hours before people could get their landing tickets filled up. The immigration authorities have detained me at Ellis Island, because the Australian quota is full. They brought me across here yesterday, lunch time. After passing through a large hall, they pinned a big blue ticket on my coat, with iny name, Olympic, and date, then sent me to another; room, where about 90 people or so were all huddled together. After being locked fn this room (windows barred) for about two hours or. so, we were all sent downstairs to a big hall for tea. Oh, it just about made me sick. Blacks, browns, yellows, and whites, ofj all nationalities were mixed up. The meal consisted of dry bread, some high polony,, and browp beans, withtwo mugs of tea. I paid half a dollar for a piece of- steak( a special privilege given to me). Then we were all sent hack to the small room above.. It was awful. “ I counted about 87 persons, all in one small room. After another wait of an hour or so we were sent into a big hall, and a picture was shown. Then about 40 other men (?) and myself were put into a little room to sleep. I did not have any pajamas or anything, so just went to sleep dressed. They gave each person three blankets, which, I think, could have just about walked away, for I was scratching myself all over.- What a night I In the morning I washed, and wiped myself, on a piece of paper. I have been waiting all morning for my turn to go before the authorities, but. so far, I cannot say when I will be let out. It is far from pleasant being locked in here —doors and windows barred. And the irony of it is

! that just a little way out is the great statue of ‘Liberty’ looking at us. | “ A lot of- liberty in this 1 country, it strikes me. What a difference be- ! tween Southampton and New York. • Americans can land at Southampton I as easily as anything, and go awiiy | up to London by special, train. Here , in New York we get treated like so many dogs. Kept four or five hours at the docks, then goodness knows how long at Ellis Island, before we knew whether we are to be allowed to land br not.”

When this letter was received in London Mrs Reynolds called on the American Consul, and asked ifj it I were true that the conditions described actually existed. She pointed out that her son had actually been ac cepted as a student, by a Chicago col-, lege, and that his papers were all in order. The Consul admitted that unfortunately those conditions, did exist. He was asked why people were allowed to book passages if they were not to be allowed to land, and he replied that everyone must, take a risk. If the quota for their country was full, then they must conform to the American laws, and either gb to Ellis Island, irrespective of colour or social standing, or return by the same steamer. The office of the High Commissioner of) Australia was next visited, but Mrs Reynolds was informed that the matter had been a source of worry to the officials there for some time. Several communications had been sent to the Americans '.with, regard to it, but with very little result. In one case it was stated a Miss Watkins had to sleep in a small room with 20 black women, and had also had filthy blapkets issued to her. After having waited for eight days Mr Reynolds was allowed to land. His relatives are of, the opinion that the should be taken up by the 'Federal Ministry in an endeavour to have the Australian monthly quota increased and the conditions at Ellis Island improved.