CANADA’S IMMIGRANTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1007, 15 February 1912, Page 4

CANADA’S IMMIGRANTS.

This year about 400,000 aliens settled in the Dominion, about one-third of them being from the United States. About 50 per cent, of this total immigration goes to Western Canada. Practically the entire body of Americans go there. The Dominion has divided its immigration into three classes ■ British, foreign, European and American. The Government bureau dealing with the work makes no difference between the three classes, says the Consular and Trade Reports, unless they enter under different conditions. In Western Canada about 200.000 homesteads are available. Each homestead is of 160 acres, and in some sections of the country a man may pre-empt an additional 160 acres by paying the Government X2S 6d for it, with the payments spread over ten years. In return for this homestead or homestead and pre-emption the settlers pays £2 entry lee and undertakes to perform certain homestead duties, notably to reside on the homestead six mouths every year for three years, and cultivate the homestead to the extent of fifteen acres every year for three years, and build upon the homestead a habitable house. In the case of a man coming in who is not prepared to take up land, the Immigration Department finds him employment at agricultural work in almost any part of the country. With a one cent a mile rate and a card of introduction, he is sent to the agent ot the Government in the district in which he proposes to work, and by that agent is taken to the employer or employment to which he has been specifically sent. Upon his arrival in the country, if he does not care to take up his quarters in a hotel, there are in Winnipeg, and west of Winnipeg, about forty Government immigration buildings. In these halls he is at liberty to make his home during the period in which he is deciding as to his destination or arranging for employment. In these halls are provided heat, light, bedrooms and bedding, and each man is entitled to two weeks’ residence without cost; and if it is found that settlement has not been decided upon at the end ot that time, and that the delay is in no way due to the settler himself, a further and indefinite period of residence in the hall is permitted. In case ot sickness, and on that account, inability on the part of the new settler to perform the required duties, his homestead is protected —that is to say, an extension period is granted him by the Department of the Interior, so that, instead of performing all his duties in three years, he may be permitted lour or five, as the case may be. In any event, no advantage is taken of his sickness to deprive him of his homestead upon which he has placed his labour and perhaps his capital. In case of sickness in his family, and consequent destitution, due either to insufficient capital or to extra expenditure for medicines or medical help, the new homesteader has the right to appeal to the Immigration Department of the Interior. Inquiry is made into the situation, and if it is found that the settler through no fault of his own, is lacking in food, fuel or clothing, this is provided by the Department and a lien taken upon the homestead for the amount advanced to the homesteader, with 6 per cent, interest added, the homesteader understanding that he cannot become possessed of his final title until he has met and liquidated all the advances of the Government.

In eases where the homesteader has suffered partial or total failure of crop from hail, fire, or other untoward circumstances, and where he is still upon laud for which he has not received his patent, the Department of the Interior will advance him a reasonable quantity of seed wheat and seed oats to enable him to get upon his feet again and proceed with his spring sowing. The amount of this grain, the actual cost of the grain itself plus transportation only, is made a charge upon the homesteader. No charge is made by the Department of the Interior for services of any kind rendered to the immigrant. Where persons from another country have become destitute through sickness or lack of employment in the cities within a year after their arrival, the Department of the Interior either finds sufficient employment, or in the case of sickness, food and medical comforts lor the destitute newcomer. The same conditions prevail in the country districts, except that the period during which the immigrant is a charge upon the Department of the Interior is three years, as against one year in the city and urban centres. ■