AN OLD STORY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9687, 11 January 1910, Page 5

AN OLD STORY.

STRANDED IMMIGRANTS. LED AWAY BY ROSY PROMISES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received January 10, 9.15 a.m. SYDNEY, January 10. The cases of seventeen recently arrived Anglo-Indian immigrants are attracting much public attention. They complain that they were induced to leave India by rosy promises of certain work at high wages, and other good things, made by the agent of the Sydney Immigration League in India. Some of the immigrants threw up good employment and sold their property. Others brought their wives and families, on the strength of an understanding that they were to receive a bonus of £6 for the wife and £3 for each child, only to find on arrival that their hopes were disappointed. The Government declines to take any responsibility in the matter. Meantime sveral of the new arrivals, failing to find work or to obtain the alleged promised refund of passage money, are penniless. THE LEAGUE'S EXPLANATION. Received January 10. 10.40 p.m. SYDNEY, January 10. The Immigration League's reply to the adverse . criticisoa in regard to the matter is that the League's Indian agent, through lack of accurate information, unintentionally misled some ot the earlier batches of immigrants with regard to refunds, but due warnings had jbeen published in the Indian press as to the conditions in Australia, and the proper type of immigrants required. The coal strike had upset all calculations, and a cable had been sent to the League's Indian agent on December Ist last to stop sending any more, immigrants.